By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Nyesom Wike, has alleged that there is a conspiracy in both the camps of former Vice Presudent President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential polls, Peter Obi agains him.
Wike claimed that what is playing out now in both camps is the result of a long brewing conspiracy that has reached a head.
The former governor of Rivers State further alleged that both camps wooed him vehemently to join their respective parties prior to the 2023 presidential elections but he turned down their political overtures.
Wike disclosed this while speaking at a luncheon on Saturday in honour of the 10th Rivers State Assembly in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
He noted that Obi’s team is critical of him because he refused to support their principal.
The FCT Minister explained that despite persistent lobbying from Obi’s camp, he stood firm in his decision not to endorse Obi’s presidential ambition.
Wike stated: “Let me tell you what is going on. I have no regrets whatsoever for supporting President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. None at all.
“All these things you are witnessing… There is Atiku’s group, Peter Obi’s group, and a few PDP governors who believe I am a problem for them. I will continue to be a problem for them.
“Atiku’s group believes that my team and I blocked them from winning the presidency. What we opposed was injustice. All we demanded was equity and fairness.
“Obi’s group lobbied me so much. They can’t deny it. I told them, ‘This will not work. Rivers State will not follow a path that doesn’t align with us… It will not succeed.’ There is a conspiracy, and they are fighting back. But in reality, they are fighting amongst themselves.”
Wike stressed that his political adversaries are not only in PDP and LP but also in APC under whose administration he is serving as a Minister.
He, however, expressed optimism that he would not be defeated or relegated to political oblivion by the combined efforts of his adversaries.
Speaking on the reasons for the hatred from other quarters, Wike said that certain individuals within the PDP, eyeing the party’s presidential ticket for 2027, are also conspiring against him.
“There is another conspiracy within the PDP by those seeking the presidency. They believe, ‘If we don’t act now, we’ll have a problem.’ I can assure you, they will have a problem.
“There is another group within the APC — very prominent figures. Together, they will all fail,” Wike added.
In addition, Wike said that the acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, was not his ally and never supported him. He clarified that his sole interest is to ensure Damagum completes the tenure of the former chairman, Iyorcha Ayu.
“They say Damagum should go. I’m not friends with Damagum; he never supported me.
“The truth must always be told. We agreed that Damagum would complete Ayu’s tenure. But let me tell you why you must be cautious when trusting people… those who sat with us and agreed… I saw something, and I thought, ‘This man, this man, I cannot trust you.”
Recall that Wike and Atiku fell apart after the former Vice-President defeated him in the PDP presidential primaries.
Wike and four other governors from the southern region of the country formed what’s now known as the “G-5”.
The G-5, led by Wike, were at the vanguard of the campaign for the return of the presidential ticket to south.
