Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had no option but to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Abubakar left the PDP on July 14, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the party’s departure from its original principles.
Speaking on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Monday, Wike stated that Abubakar’s departure from the opposition party was unavoidable as he was unable to exploit the PDP for his own goals.
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“Atiku has no choice but to leave because he wanted to use the PDP, but knowing that I’m there, he cannot get that platform,” the FCT minister said.
He also accused the former vice-president and other defectors of further crippling the party.
“Those are people who destroyed the party,” he said, adding, “How many times has he left PDP and returned?”
‘DIRI SHOULD THANK ME FOR OPENING HIS EYES’
Wike also took a swipe at Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, who on Monday officially became a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Diri has said he has left PDP, and I’m one of the happiest persons today,” he said.
“The same him and Makinde said they would not allow anybody to destroy the PDP and fall to the gutter. Who has entered the gutter today?”
Wike accused Diri of being hypocritical, claiming that although he joined the APC, he had previously called others “undertakers” who were attempting to destroy the PDP.
“If I heard what he said, he claimed that some people came into the party as undertakers,” Wike said.
“I didn’t just come into the party; I have been a bona fide member since 1998.”
“When Diri was in PDP, he was one of those who said I was working for APC to destroy PDP,” he said.
The former Rivers governor further insisted that Governor Diri should be grateful for his defection.
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“If he were to say I am working with APC, Diri should come to me and say, ‘Thank you, master,’” Wike said.
“He should pay me and say, ‘Thank you for opening my eyes to see the light,’ if he were true.”
The FCT minister added that his record of loyalty to the PDP remains unquestionable despite the party’s internal wrangling.
