Aftermath of Primaries: Ortom Asks PDP To Go Pacify Wike

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has encouraged the PDP leadership to visit Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, and make a plea to him.

He argued that Wike, a former PDP presidential candidate, had been mistreated by the party.

In his appearance on Arise TV on Wednesday morning, June 29, 2022; Ortom also asserted that Wike was responsible for bringing him back to the PDP in 2015; especially after he experienced unfair treatment.

“Why do you just send calls to Wike? You should have to go to him,” Ortom said.

“When people left the party, Wike was on ground. It was Wike that brought me back to PDP when I was treated unjustly.

“He brought me back to PDP in 2015. You have treated Wike badly. The party and national level should go to him and appeal to him. He came second to Atiku,” Ortomsaid.

Following the contentious nomination of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as running mate in the 2022 PDP presidential primary; as well as recent private talks with some of the party’s senior politicians, Wike hosted them at his country residence.

Just last week, the governor hosted a meeting at his private residence in Port Harcourt, the state capital; with Senator Bala Mohammed of the PDP, the governor of Bauchi State; Governor David Umahi of the All Progressives Congress; Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian People’s Party, and Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labor Party.

The visits were a sequel to a strong rumour of Wike’salleged plan to dump the PDP; especially after failing to make the cut in becoming a running mate to the flag bearer of the party for the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar.

Wike came second in the May 28/29 presidential primary, which was won by Atiku, who garnered over a thousand votes to beat other contenders.