Former Sokoto State governor, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, has said that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State did not lose the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential primary because of religion.
Wamakko, a senator representing Sokoto North senatorial district at the red chamber stated this while inaugurating a project in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
This comes after reports claim the internal wrangling in the PDP persists as the members of the National Working Committee, NWC, seem to have pitched their tent with the national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, instead of Wike.
Dr Chidi LIoyd, Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, yesterday blasted Senator Lee Maeba, over his recent criticism of Wike.
While responding to an earlier remark by Wike on his presidential bid, Wamakko noted that religion did not play a major role in the country’s national politics. He stressed that Muslim votes played a key role in President Olusegun Obasanjo’s emergence as President for two terms.
See Also: 2023 Election: Rivers To Vote Based On Interest – Wike
He said, “My brother, I beg to disagree that you lost the election during the last PDP convention because of religion,” the former Sokoto State governor stated.
“This is because Muslims voted for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo twice as president of this country,” Wamakko said.
Wamakko added, “Muslims also voted twice for former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is from the South-south geopolitical zone. I am sorry, sir, I have to disagree with you on the matter of religion here. Take note, please.”
The former governor, however, lauded Wike for his developmental strides in Rivers, saying, “I have seen what you can do, what you have done and I believe that you have the capacity to do more. Having said that, let me repeat again that Governor Wike, you are very dynamic, very courageous and talk and do governor of Rivers State.”
Source: Thisdaylive