Atiku is not against you, Fayose tells Wike

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has told Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike that the People's Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar is not was not against him.

He accused the people around Atiku of being the enemies of the PDP who are creating tension within the party.

Fayose made his position clear on Friday at the inauguration of Obuama Harry's Town Community Secondary School in Degema Local Government Area in Rivers State, saying most people think they must destroy the rulers before they can rise again, which is hardly possible.

He noted that PDP presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar does not hate Governor Wike, but many people around him were the enemies creating tension.

He stated; “For me, I want to believe that His Excellency Atiku Abubakar is not against you. But let me say this quickly, many people around the throne are enemies of the throne.

"A lot of people around the throne have an ax to settle with someone or issues with someone, and they take it where they're not supposed to take it."

The former governor reiterated the need for Alhaji Atiku to work towards unifying the party so that everyone can focus on how to win the 2023 presidential election.

Fayose noted that it was impossible to wish Governor Wike out by saying that anyone who did was the true enemy of the party.

He said; "There is no living person in the party and outside of this party who will not recognize your contribution to this party. You are the soul of this party."

"Forget everything they say about you, I've said it before, Wike, the man with the fierce look but kind heart. The heart of love is to achieve and to give support .

"The majority of our enemies today are not against you because of anything but against you because you have the ability, they are against you because they know that when you take the power, they will crumble.

He further urged those close to the presidential candidate to refrain from spreading disaffection and allow him to unify the party ahead of the 2023 general election.

He explained; "Wike did not come out to say that Atiku Abubakar is not the presidential candidate. He is. I was there on the second day after the election when our candidate, the former vice president, visited Governor Wike's residence.

“We had a mutual conversation. We were all happy. Everything was in place to move forward. I spoke at this meeting. people who matter.

"In every political party, there will be groupings. The same family, but different interests. We can do better than we do. People around the corridor of power, please allow that candidate to win the election. We don't celebrate victory until it's ours."

He praised Wike for his infrastructural transformation of Rivers State saying; "Rivers State has been around for a long time, but today we can see the difference. The average man in Rivers is proud to be from Rivers. They're proud to say you're their governor."

In his remarks, Wike explained the rationale for implementing an inclusive development program for the state saying that most people barely see beyond the delivery of road projects executed by his administration because the roads are more visible and will attract investors to the state.

"While we are trying to make more roads, it is because it attracts development. If there are no roads, people will not go and build houses. If there are no there are no roads, people will not invest.

"But when you have a good road network, it will encourage people who want to invest in the state to do so," he said.

The governor emphasized that his administration has also given sufficient attention to development to improve the structure, teaching and learning facilities in the education sector.

He continued; “Throughout this week we have been busy trying to get people to understand what we do in the education sector.

"Before, people used to say that we only did roads. Since Monday, we are talking about higher education. Now we are talking about basic education.

“When we are done, we will also go into the health sector and let the state see what we have done in this sector.

"So, for me, it affects all sectors because no sector can be considered more important than the other."

Wike informed that it was his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, who brought his attention to the poor condition of the Obuama Community School, and he immediately led a total upgrade of the structure and learning facilities.

“To God be the glory, we were able to do our best to make it a real secondary school so that our children not only have access to education, but also a quality education.

"I'm sure when you take your time...