The feud between the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took another turn yesterday when the party accused Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, of directing his political appointees, local government chairmen, and PDP ward leaders to work for the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, in the upcoming general election.
The Council also faulted Wike’s reasons for withdrawing earlier approved facility for Atiku Abubakar’s campaign rally.
A statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt and signed by Abiye Sekibo, on behalf of the state Campaign Management Committee, said credible intelligence available to them was that Wike has directed all council chairmen, special advisers, commissioners, party executives at the state, council, and ward levels, and all other appointees to work for the APC presidential candidate.
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Wike had, through a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, explained that the withdrawal of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium earlier approved for Atiku’s rally on Saturday, February 11 was sequel to credible intelligence indicating that the presidential campaign organisation was working in collaboration with a faction of APC, led by Tonye Cole.
The statement claimed that such collaboration might lead to crisis, adding that the government is not ready to risk damages on its valuable assets.
But Atiku group, yesterday, said: “It is appalling and highly preposterous for Wike or anyone to assume that the PDP and APC could jointly hold an event at the same venue.
READ ALSO Jilli Airstrike: Supporters Of Terrorists Will Be Treated As Bandits, Defence Minister Warns Defence Minister Christopher Musa has warned that supporters of terrorists would be treated as criminals. He said this on Monday as he reacted to the airstrike carried out by the Nigerian Air Force airstrike in Jilli, Borno State, over the weekend. Speaking after an expanded security meeting in Kaduna with the state governor and heads of security agencies, Musa said the operation sends a clear message to those collaborating with terrorist groups. He stressed that anyone found supporting insurgents would face the same consequences as the perpetrators. “A friend of a thief is a thief,” he said, warning civilians against associating with or providing any form of assistance to terrorists. Musa urged residents to steer clear of areas known to be used by insurgents, noting that proximity or collaboration could have grave consequences. The airstrike, carried out near the village of Jilli in Gubio Local Government Area, targeted what the military described as an ISWAP enclave and logistics hub. According to the Nigerian Air Force, the operation was intelligence-driven and aimed at neutralising terror elements and destroying their equipment. However, reports have emerged alleging that the strike may have affected a weekly market in the area, with civilians, including cross-border traders, reportedly among casualties. Musa, however, maintained that the strike should serve as a strong warning to those aiding insurgent activities, reaffirming the military’s resolve to intensify operations against terrorist networks. Air Component of Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, conducted a precision air strike on a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub located near the abandoned village of Jilli in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State. Giving an update on the airstrike, the Nigerian Army in a post on its official X handle said, “The successful strike, executed on 11 April 2026, followed sustained intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions over the Bindul–Jilli axis, an area long identified as a major terrorist movement corridor and convergence point for Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists and their collaborators.”
Meanwhile, Rivers PDP Campaign Council has hailed the decision by the governor to deny the Atiku campaign organisation the use of the stadium.
The Council, through its Director of Publicity and Communications, Ogbonna Nwuke, said Rivers people would not collude with persons that do not share their aspiration for a stable and better society.
“We thank Wike for taking urgent steps to deny the Atiku team the use of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium,” he said.
