February 02,(THEWILL) – Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has endorsed the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as his preferred candidate for the February 25, presidential election.
THEWILL reports that the Governor, who has had a running battle with the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, told his allies, including aides and Council Chairmen to facilitate moves to convey his decision to their followers.
Although Wike had last December, said he would publicly declare his preferred presidential candidate in January 2023, the Governor, on Wednesday, denied the claim.
According to our source, Wike’s open declaration was shelved amid fears that such could affect the chances of Siminalayi Fubara, the PDP Governorship Candidate in Rivers State guber poll slated for March 10, where he battles Tonye Cole, the Rivers APC governorship candidate and strong ally of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
An aide of the Governor, who also confirmed the development to THEWILL, said communication of the endorsement of Tinubu kicked off last week, at various ward levels in the state through the 250,000 political aides the Governor appointed last year.
Our source, however, hinted that the endorsement of Tinubu has not received wide acceptance from PDP party members in the State.
According to the source, Wike’s allies are split between Tinubu and Peter Obi of the LP.
Also, a close ally of the Governor in Obiakpor, told THEWILL, that Wike was cautioned against declaring Tinubu as his preferred presidential candidate in the open, adding that he and other candidates of the party in the forthcoming election, may be suspended by the national leadership of the PDP.
He, however, said that the Rivers Governor has sealed the fate of Atiku in the State, making sure that he doesn’t get the votes of the people in the State.
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