By Agunwa Uzendu
The quest by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reclaim the Presidential Villa in 2023 may become a very difficult task as some stakeholders in the party are yet to throw their weight behind its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar following his choice of governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as running mate, while the majority voted in support of Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.
The Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom who was a guest at the Arise Television Morning Show on Wednesday, said that he has withheld his support for Atiku and gone into hibernation until he gets further direction from God.
He lashed on the former Vice President for failing to contact Gov. Wike who enjoyed the support of majority of party stakeholders for the position of Vice Presidential candidate.
He said that Wike has contributed so much in the party and deserved a call or visit from Atiku as soon as he made up his mind to go for Okowa against Wike who enjoys the support of most of the members of the 17 man committee charged with the responsibility of picking a running mate for Atiku.
Ortom who recognized the fact the Atiku has the responsibility of making the final decision quickly added that he should have been bold enough to discuss the new development with Wike as against sending other party members to talk to the Rivers state governors.
He said that the twist has made him to go into hibernation adding that he is looking onto God to direct him on whether he should support Atiku or otherwise.
Ortom praised Wike as “somebody who stood for the party and made sure that things worked”, adding that “some of us believed in him” as the party’s best choice for the vice-presidential candidate.
“All of us have our weapon; Wike can be ‘something’ but when it comes to mobilization, impact, value addition and reaching out to make sure that the party works the man is an instrument. He’s somebody who stood for the party and made sure that things worked. Some of us believed in him, but unfortunately, it was somebody else. But the party is supreme.
“However, some of us have resorted to prayers. I have been in hibernation. We’ve resorted to prayer: ‘Lord God, where do we go from here.’ I believe as a Christian that power belongs to God. The Bible says a man can receive nothing except it is given to him from above.
“I am praying. I have gone into hibernation. I am fasting and praying. So in the end, if God directs me that I should support Atiku, why should I not do it? After all, he’s my party member. But I am waiting for him to do more.
“I expect him to reach out to Wike, who came second in the presidential primary. The man denied the popular view of the PDP members — 14 out of 17 — who said Wike should be the vice-presidential candidate. I expect more explanation. I expect him to talk to Wike — whom we are supporting — first. I expect him to reach out to some of us so that together we can work as a party.”
Recall that Atiku had a day after the partys national convention paid a visit to Wike as part of his efforts to reconcile all the aspirants that participated at the presidential primary election which he won.