Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has denied filing a suit against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
Some sections of the media had reported that Wike and another PDP chieftain, Newgent Ekamon took Atiku, Aminu Tambuwal and PDP to court over the party’s presidential primary.
The duo according to reports are praying the court to cancel the transfer of votes and a corresponding order restraining the 3rd respondent (Tambuwal’s) withdrawal in the primary.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022, PDP is listed as the first, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is listed as the second and Tambuwal and Atiku are the third and fourth respondents, respectively.
Mr Wike came second behind Atiku in the party’s presidential primary election held in May. Mr Tambuwal, who was also a presidential aspirant, stepped down for Atiku at the last minute.
Mr Tambuwal’s last-minute withdrawal from the race is believed to have helped to secure victory for Atiku. Mr Tambuwal at the venue of the election urged his supporters to cast their votes for Atiku.
The former vice president ended up defeating 12 other aspirants including Mr Wike to emerge as the party’s presidential flagbearer.
Of the 767 accredited ballots at the election, Atiku polled 371 votes while his closest challenger, Mr Wike, came second with 237 votes.
Nigeria’s former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, scored 70 votes to come a distant third while Governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel, came fourth with 38 votes.
But Governor Wike denied filing a suit against the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
Speaking at the commissioning of House of Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt, Wike said he was focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.
“People have called me that I went to court against Atiku Abubakar,” he said.
“I want to state categorically that I didn’t go to court. I just want to say it for Nigerians to know. I have kept quiet. I am busy with delivering the dividends of democracy.
“If they lose the election, nobody should call my name. I have told the candidate.
“If I wanted to go to court, I would have gone to court within two weeks.
“It is the candidate’s group that is doing all these things. Let the world hear. They are the ones plotting all these things, thinking they will spoil my name.
“We are supposed to be talking about winning the election.”
