Governor Wike reacts as Dogara dumps Tinubu, declares support for Atiku, PDP

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has criticised Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, for endorsing Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Recall that Dogara, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and some northern religious leaders endorsed Atiku on Friday, December 2, saying he is the best option among the presidential candidates.

The former House of Reps Speaker had in July 2020 defected from the PDP to the APC, saying his decision was based on the “failure of governance” in Bauchi state.

Wike hits Dogara Speaking on Monday, December 5, at the flag-off of Indorama-Agbonchia-Ogale-Ebubu East/West link road, Wike expressed disappointment over the former speaker’s endorsement of Atiku, The Cable reported.

He said Dogara had claimed that he wanted the presidency to be zoned to the south but had now turned around to support a northerner. The Rivers governor was quoted as saying: “What I don’t like in life is people that don’t have character. I can’t stand it. At the appropriate time, I would challenge them to a debate.

Ask Dogara: ‘what made you leave PDP?’ Dogara was to see me. Unknown to me, he gave me an excuse and I was watching Dogara on TV being received by President Muhammadu Buhari that he has gone to APC. “I said ‘Okay, no problem’.

The same Dogara said the presidency should be zoned to southern Nigeria for there to be peace. Now, I hear about the same Dogara (backing Atiku from the north). Is that how you do things? Can’t you say something and stand by it?” Dogara dumped Tinubu for Atiku in protest against the decision of the APC to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Meanwhile, Wike and four other PDP governors known as G5 Governors are also not backing Atiku for the 2023 presidency.