The chances of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar securing votes in Rivers State are growing slimmer.

It was gathered that Atiku is distraught by the fact that party leaders who pitched tent with him against Governor Nyesom Wike, are not pulling their weight as expected.

These include former governor Celestine Omehia, as well as other leaders like Austine Opara, Lee Maeba, and Farah Dagogo.

It was learnt that Wike had grown stronger by developing unique strategies to tighten his grip on the party and take all state structures beyond the reach of Atiku and his men.

His continuous campaign for inclusiveness in the national leadership structure of the party and his portrayal of Atiku; the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu; Atiku’s running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa and other Atiku’s men as betrayers, liars, haters of Rivers and divisive leaders, had been received by many Rivers residents across the political divide.

It was gathered that no campaign for Atiku was ongoing in any part of the state as an attempt to mention the name of the PDP presidential candidate was viewed by many people as an abomination.

It was gathered that Atiku’s pictures had disappeared from all campaign materials of the PDP in the state and anybody found with material projecting Atiku is considered an enemy of Rivers.

Rivers youths across the state including the rural areas daily combed their areas to identify and remove campaign materials in their domains belonging to Atiku and Okowa.

It was found that in the entire state it was unlikely to see any Atiku billboard, posters or other campaign materials unlike in 2019 when Wike supported the Adamawa-born politician.

The recent appointments of 200,000 advisers on polling units and over 300 local government liaison officers by the governor were said to have made any plan by Atiku and his men to penetrate Rivers a herculean task.

Besides, it was observed that all local government chairpersons, ward and unit heads of the PDP had remained loyal to the governor and were backing his political decisions ahead of 2023.

Besides, the perception of the governor as a performer and his use of project inauguration to extract a commitment from folks had made many Rivers communities a no-go area for Atiku’s men.

While campaigns for the governorship candidate of the PDP, Sim Fubara, National and House of Assembly candidates of the party were ongoing with their campaign materials dotting all corners of the state, nothing was being said about Atiku.

All pro-Atiku leaders in Rivers had fled the state and were said to be hiding in Abuja and following Atiku without any plan to return home to campaign for their presidential candidate.

Wike had continued to tell the people to vote for his candidates for other positions but to wait for his decision on the presidential poll.

The governor on Saturday night excluded Atiku, Okowa, Ayu and all Atiku’s men from the list of 162 distinguished Nigerians he conferred with state awards for their inspirational achievements, impactful life and contributions to the progress of the Rivers in particular.

Among those honoured were eight governors, nine former governors of other states, lawyers and others, whom he said demonstrated a high level of loyalty to the nation, excellence in public service, commitment to equity, equality and justice in the country and love for the government and the people of Rivers.

Wike presented the awards during the State Honours and Awards ceremony 2022 which was held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt.

The awards were in four categories of the Grand Service State of Rivers State (GSSRS), the Distinguished Service State of Rivers State (DSSRS), the Governor’s Medal of Service (GMS) and the Rivers State Merit Award (RSMA).

Wike explained that the state honours and awards were solely the initiatives of Dr. Odili.

He said everyone bestowed with an award on Saturday night had distinguished themselves by their good character, personal achievements and positive contributions to society.

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said Wike had demonstrated that he is a true patriot and nationalist by honouring Nigerians from the six geopolitical zones, irrespective of their religious and political persuasion.

He said: “Today, in Nigeria as we match towards 2023, we are not looking at political parties, we are not looking at ethnicity, but we are looking at how we can salvage our country Nigeria, and make it greater than where we are today.

“I thank you (Wike) for charting this course and I believe that moving forward from here, all of us who are here tonight will be a catalyst to how we can make Nigeria greater, economically, politically, socially, security-wise, we will make it greater.”

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who spoke on behalf of the awardees, said governor Wike had taken governance to the next level.

He said: “You have indeed demonstrated what it takes to be accommodating, what it takes to be a bridge builder, a builder of bridges across the Niger.

“You have established a bridge. We are happy crossing over to come around to identify with you in the expression of excellence attributed to the service of the nation.” (The Nation)

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