Shaibu reacts to Wike, Ayu crisis, says Atiku will become president in 2023

It would be recalled that on Thursday, September 1, 2022, Wike threatened to help the PDP lose the 2023 presidential election. He issued the threat while commissioning a road in Omerelu community of Ikwerre council.

The governor’s threat was a response to Wednesday’s comments by Ayu that those asking him to step down were children.

In his interview with BBC Hausa, Ayu had said: “I have not violated any rule; in fact, I am working to bring reforms to the party. I am truly not bothered by the unnecessary controversy being generated. When we started PDP, these children were not around. They are children who do not know why we formed the party. We will not allow any individual to destabilise our party.”

However, in his response, Wike described Ayu as a ‘greedy’ man who was only after his interest. He said it was obvious that Ayu wanted the PDP to lose in 2023 and he was willing to assist him to achieve that.

Reacting to this in an interview on Arise TV, Shaibu said: “If money were placed on trees, some people would even marry monkeys. The current issue bedeviling our nation is beyond the petty issues of money. The truth is that there is a language that befits the office of a governor and the office of a president. Most importantly, PDP is our party and Governor Wike is one of our own but whether the cock crows or not, the sun will rise. Atiku will be president in 2023.

“It is simply a matter of interest. PDP is not a pressure group, it is a political party. But you know, a bitter heart is not capable of charity. You don’t expect anyone whose interest is affected one way or the other to be charitable with words. Though I expect some level of decorum. But I won’t question their choice of words”.

“But, notwithstanding the issue, are we ready? Is Atiku Abubakar ready to lead the charge? Is he out there with the right message? The answer is yes. He’s there with the right message.

“He remains the only candidate who is not just prepared but very prepared. Atiku’s government, if elected, will halt the rate of debt accumulation and instead focus on private-public partnerships in financing development, form a government of national unity that will douse the temperature, unite Nigerians and pave the way for improved security. Improved security allows for investments and, therefore, an improved economy”.

Shaibu also maintained that Atiku’s government would attract foreign and local investments, amongst other proactive measures to attract investments to grow Nigeria’s economy.