Speaking at the event, Wike, a member of the PDP, said he decided to grace the occasion despite Sanwo-Olu belonging to the All Progressives Congress.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has been slammed by his party for endorsing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress for a second term.
The Peoples Democratic Party, Lagos State chapter condemned Wike's action.
The endorsement was issued at the 22nd conference Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, held in the state on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, Wike, a member of the PDP, said he decided to grace the occasion despite Sanwo-Olu belonging to the All Progressives Congress.
He said, “If Sanwo-Olu is not doing (well), even if he belongs to my party, I will not come here. If you belong to my party and you are not doing well in governance, you won’t see me. If you don’t belong to my party and you are doing well, you will see me. Good governance is what I stand for. I will not regret to say that I am in support of you (Sanwo-Olu) for second term. Others should not waste their time.
In a terse statement issued by Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, Wike was quoted as endorsing the Lagos State Governor for a second term in office.
Reacting, the Lagos State PDP Chairman, Philip Aivoji, in a chat with The PUNCH, said the Rivers Governor’s action was condemnable.
“Such action is condemnable. It is not a welcomed development at all and it is not expected of a governor of that stature, a serving governor under PDP. No matter the quarrel, whether you want Ayu to be removed, I don’t think that is the best way to handle it. As for me and all the leaders in Lagos State, we query such utterances. It is uncalled-for and unnecessary. When you are in PDP, you stand by the party,” he said.
A statement later by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, said, “I would have “expressed disappointment if Wike had attended any event with a speaking role without his usual rant of a drowning man who will clutch at straw.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari, on Tuesday, urged women to unite to elect leaders with a vision and a demonstrated commitment to the country in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
The wife of the President stated this during the 22nd National Women’s Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials held in Lagos.
Buhari, who joined the conference virtually, urged women to get their Permanent Voters Card and mobilise for greater participation in governance and the economy.