ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State says he will announce his preferred presidential candidate in January, 2023.
Wike who made the disclosure on Thursday, stated further that he will also campaign for his adopted candidate nationwide.
The Governor said this when he commissioned the tenth flyover by his administration in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers.
He said: “From January next year, I will campaign to my people whom they will vote for.
“So, all of you who have been in suspense, who have been saying all kinds of things, abusing me, wait. January is here.
“Not only will I tell them (my people) whom to vote, I will move from state to state (for campaigns) and why they should vote for the person, nothing will happen.”
Wike has been at loggerheads with Atiku Abubakar over the chairmanship of Iyorchia Ayu, since after the PDP presidential primary in May where he (Wike) lost out.
Atiku after the presidential primary, stung Wike when he passed over his closest rival at the primary and chose Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.
Wike, however, with four other PDP governors known as the G5 or the Integrity Group, have insisted that Benue-born Ayu must step down for a southerner as a precondition to support the 2023 ambition of Atiku.
Recall that last month, Wike promised logistics support for the campaigns of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi; and his New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Also, Wike has of late socialized with All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwarts like Adams Oshiomhole and Governors Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and Ben Ayade (Cross River).
While Wike and his allies have not been seen to campaign for Atiku, it is not clear whether they will support Obi, Kwankwaso or APC’s Bola Tinubu in the contest for Aso Rock’s top job.