Wike makes U-turn, reapproves use of stadiun for PDP presidential campaign rally

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, rescinded his decision not to approve the use of Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in the state to host the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential campaign rally

The Street Journal had reported on February 1, 2023 that Wike withdrew the initial approval it granted to the party to use the stadium for campaign.

But in a letter signed by the sports commissioner in the state, BBarrister Chris Green, on January 31, he explained that the decision to withdraw the initial approval was taken because of their discovery that the PDP was in alliance with some members of the All Progressives Congress in the state.

However, the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in the State denied the allegations by the Rivers State government.

However, on Tuesday, during the state PDP campaign rally in the Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Wike said the government has reapproved the use of the stadium for the PDP following pleas made by several persons.

Wike described a claim made by the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu that a member of the G-5 visited him as false.

Wike said nobody can blackmail the G5 governors to drop the political advocacy because it is a fight they must surely win, adding that no man can chase them away from the party they built.

The G-5, also known as Integrity Group comprises five governors in the PDP, including Wike, who called on Ayu to step down from office.

The others are Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo State), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State), Samuel Ortom (Benue State) and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State all fell out with their party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar over the refusal of Ayu to step down for a southerner to be the chairman of the party.