A former senator, Dino Melaye, has claimed that the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, lobbied to become the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 election.
Melaye made the allegation in an interview with Arise TV on Wednesday, stating that Wike had called him 19 times in two hours, trying to lobby to become Atiku’s running mate. However, Atiku eventually chose Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State, as his running mate.
It should be noted that Wike had earlier contested for the PDP presidential ticket but lost to Atiku.
On Tuesday, Wike stated that Melaye did not possess the qualities required to be a governor. Reacting to Wike’s statement, Melaye stated that Kogi is not Rivers State where Wike determines who becomes governor, adding that power belongs to God.
Speaking during the interview Melaye said, “Nigerians should not be fooled. That integrity and equity that he (Wike) is always clamoring for, he does not possess one percent of it. He will tell you he wants a southern presidency, that is why he is fighting, but that is a bogus lie,” Melaye said.
“Wike wanted to be the vice-presidential candidate to Atiku. He (Wike) called me 19 times in two hours when Atiku was going to mention his vice-presidential candidate, lobbying me with everything possible to influence Atiku to announce him as his running mate. I have witnesses.”
Melaye further alleged that Wike’s opposition to his governorship bid is due to his refusal to support Wike’s “myopic” presidential ambition.
“Wike was my biggest supporter; he was my biggest fan to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. He did not just support my primaries, he provided his private jet to drop me in Kogi on the day of the primary election and called me repeatedly thereafter,” he said.
“That means Wike saw something in me in 2019 for supporting me. He knew I was a gubernatorial material and fit to be governor, hence his investment and support as the case may be.
“So, what now happened between 2019 and 2023 that he is now saying I am not fit to be a governor — somebody you supported materially and otherwise.
“But suddenly because I am not a bootlicker, and the fact that I refused to participate in your very myopic and intellectually stagnant presidential ambition, you now see me as someone that is not fit and start using foul language on my person.”
