Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has called for the suspension of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the ex-Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Tambuwal from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for their actions that undermine the party.
The minister made this statement on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” programme yesterday, following the tribunal verdict that upheld the presidential election result. Wike, who was the governor of Rivers State under the platform of the PDP until recently, praised the judges for their professionalism and courage in delivering a fair and credible judgment.
He said the presidential election was a true reflection of the people’s will and that there was no other way to express it than through the ballot.
“How do you determine the will of the people? Is it not through the ballot box,” he queried?
He blamed some PDP leaders, including the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku, and Tambuwal, for the party’s poor performance in this year’s general election.
He said: “How would the PDP have won that election when it refused to consider the mood of the nation at that time? Look at the areas where PDP lost. It lost because of arrogance, greed and impunity.
“That is why I am calling on the National Working Committee of the party to suspend the presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; the immediate governor of Sokoto State Aminu Tambuwal, from the party so that they can rebuild the party.”
He said he did not deserve to be suspended by some PDP leaders, as he had not committed any offence against his party.
“The party knew that I didn’t do anything wrong. How will some people who don’t know about the genesis of our party be calling for my suspension?
“They should even congratulate us for standing for equity, justice and fairness. The party stood against the will of Nigerians and Nigerians are superior to the party.”
According to the minister, the people of Nigeria made their electoral choice clear in this year’s general election, and the court has confirmed their verdict.
Wike admitted that he had no expectation that the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would emerge victorious in the election.
“I am a realist. That is why we should praise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The way the election went showed that it was a perfect election. I give it to INEC. In the past election, it was not possible for the likes of Obi to pull such numbers.
“Election is not about you as a person. You might be a good man, but the reality on the ground at that time was not favourable to you.
“Forget about sentiment. Yes, being a younger candidate, people might have preferred that. But the reality was different,” he said.
Jesse Voyamba
