A socio-political group, under the auspices of Benue Advocates for Good Governance (BAGG), has condemned, in totality, the unprovoked attacks on the PDP national chairman, describing them as "cheap, childish and unwholesome."
Dr Iyorchia Ayu.
BAGG said it was deplorable that a governor would descend to the level of addressing the national chairman of his party, the way Wike did.
It would be recalled that a few days ago, the Rivers state governor had attacked Dr Iyorchia Ayu in a vicious TV outing while commissioning roads in the state
He was joined in the attacks by one-time deputy national chairman of the party, Chief Bode George.
But rising in Ayu's defence, BAGG said all who watched Wike's show have been wondering if the governor spoke under the influence.
BAGG, which made its views known in a press release in Abuja, pointed out that it was only someone who was under the influence of substances that would spew such uncomplimentary and derogatory words against a person of Ayu's standing.
In the statement signed by its National Coordinator, Hon. Tengu Aze, BAGG opined that although Wike intended, by his utterances, to ridicule Sen. Ayu, but ended up "exposing himself as an immature, bitter, childish and emotional person who abuses substances before making his disorganized and incoherent speeches.
It reads further: Wike's campaign of calumny is a calculated attempt to bring Ayu down. But worse, it is aimed at ruining the chances of the PDP in the forthcoming presidential election.
"When the APC emerged winners in the presidential election of 2019, we recall how Wike threw a party in Port Harcourt for one week. We know him as a bitter loser.
"But we didn't know that he is also a shameless ingrate. Without the PDP, where would he be? Or does he think Nigerians don't recall his pre-1999 days as a struggling and trekking charge-and-bail lawyer?
"This is a man that PDP brought from the gutters, and polished up via choice public offices, beginning with Council Chairman, Chief of Staff, Minister and a governor for eight years."
"So, who is the ingrate here? Who should be humble here? We repeat that when the Ayus formed the PDP in 2008, where were the likes of Wike? These are questions the garrulous and querulous Wike should answer," BAGG added.
Aze said "Wike's reckless utterances were unfortunate, clearly expose his shallow-thinking and petty-mindedness. Beyond his words being truly unbecoming of a high state official, Wike has exposed himself and Nigerians can now see the character, temperament and state of mind of the person who wanted to be president."
As a consequence, BAGG "demands a public apology, within a week, from Wike to Ayu, the PDP and the Tiv ethnic nationality over the unprovoked and childish attacks.
"We demand that the apology be published in five national daily besides Channels, NTA, AIT and TVC, failure of which we will proceed to call on the Tiv Traditional Council (TTC) to withdraw the traditional title of "Igyuve-i-Tiv" that was conferred on him.
"We call to submit himself to the national reconciliation processes initiated by the party through its National Working Committee (NWC) and give peace a chance.
"Finally, we remind Wike that this is not the first time that someone has lost a presidential bid; and that the party is bigger than any individual."
"As for Bode George, we have only words of advice. Since coming out of prison, he has not yet found his bearing. He has forgotten that PDP has a constitution. Let him get a copy and read, and stop embarrassing himself because of welfare issues."
We assure His Excellency Atiku Abubakar and Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of the growing support of Nigerians across party lines and wish them Godspeed as they ready to commence the Rescue/Restoration project, Come 2023.
