The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and his running-mate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday, celebrated Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on his birthday, despite ongoing crisis in the party.
Wike, who celebrated his 55th birthday on Tuesday, is leading a group of five PDP Governors who are rebelling against Atiku’s candidacy.
In a tweet on Tuesday via his confirmed Twitter handle @atiku, Atiku, former Vice President, wrote: “As you turn 55 today, I pray that all lines fall in pleasant places for you. Enjoy your special day. –AA.”
Okowa, on the other hand, congratulated Wike via a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba.
The Governor said that Wike had etched his name in the sands of time with his numerous landmark achievements in Rivers, particularly in Port Harcourt, where he had successfully renewed the city’s landscape with key infrastructure, including flyover bridges and roads.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate my dear brother and Governor of Rivers, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on his birth anniversary.
“The people of your state, the South-South and Nigerians are proud of your sterling and laudable accomplishments in the administration of Rivers.
“As you celebrate this year’s anniversary of your birth, it is my prayer and that of the government and people of Delta that God grants you greater wisdom and good health to continue rendering service to Him and humanity,” Okowa said.
Atiku and Wike have endured a troubled relationship since the governor lost his bid to emerge as PDP’s presidential candidate.
Wike, who has refused to support Atiku’s presidential ambition, demanded the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu. His rationale for this was that both the party’s presidential flagbearer and the national chairman cannot be from the same region of the country; the North.
The Governor and his group, G-5 said the North can’t produce the party’s presidential candidate and national chairman.
About the G5 Governors: Apart from Mr Wike, other governors who are members of the G5 are Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo).