Teejay Yusuf, a member of the Kogi State House of Assembly, has warned the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party not to take advantage of Governor Nyesom Wike‘s loyalty for granted.
Yusuf said the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, should drop the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, if he see the value in Wike.
The lawmaker while speaking on the possibilities of Wike leaving PDP described the Rivers State Governor as a party man.
Yusuf in an interview with Punch on Sunday said, “That will be the choice of the candidate. It would be his prerogative to do that. It is not for me to suggest that to him. If he sees that Wike will add more value to the ticket and say ‘with the way it is, I can manage the ripple effect of taking Okowa out,’ why not, if not?”
“Okowa is a PDP governor but nobody can deny the fact that Wike has the will and the capacity to make this party stand on its feet.
“I know that the standard-bearer is a politician of repute and he knows the dynamics, but he is a human being. So, if he made the wrong decision, I believe that, fortunately, the Electoral Act (2022) gives ample time; we have eight months to the general elections. In politics, one day can be a million days. A lot can be done in one day.”
He called on Atiku to find a means to resolve the crisis in the party to guide against disunity.
Yusuf condemned the National Chairman of the Party, Iyorchia Ayu for allegedly taking sides in the crisis when he is expected to be neutral as the leader.
The lawmaker pointed to an instance where Ayu met with the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, and called him a hero.
Recall that Tambuwal stepped down for Atiku at the PDP primary, which saw the former Vice President defeat Wike in the electoral process.
Yusuf while speaking on the calls for Atiku to reconcile with Wike, he said, “That is a fact and that was what was emphasised by the leaders who spoke of recent, notably Governor Ortom and former governor Jang. I lend my voice to that, that one stoops to conquer. It is the normal thing to be done.
“If the information is true that a committee was set up – that you set up; it was your committee – and they came up with the choice of someone. If you are not taking the person, naturally you should call the person.
“In 2019, I supported Atiku and I was very happy with the way he ran. And I am aware that immediately after the primary, concerted efforts were made and that was how (Senator) Bukola Saraki became the director-general of the campaign.
“In this one, offers were made and people pushed for Governor Wike as the vice-presidential candidate of the party. If you have any reason (not to pick Wike), you call him, and it should not be that he would be reminded by people like us before it is done. It is not too late to do the right thing and I am aware that certain efforts are being made already.”
