 You denied U.K. popular views of PDP members autumn tells Attiku and save APC from collapse Bihari Beg's aggrieved senators. This is Plus Politics. I am Mary Annacombe. In the wake of speculations that Governor Yesom U.K. made the camp to another party, Governor Sammel Autumn of Benristad asked the presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party PDP Abu Bakar Attiku to reach out to the River State Governor Autumn, who expressed worry that Attiku denied U.K. of the popular views of the PDP members stated that he expected Attiku to have reached out to U.K. on the grounds that he finished second in the PDP presidential primaries. In the same vein, former Attiku state governor and chieftain of the People's Democratic Party, Ayo Faiyoshi, has said it was the turn of the South to produce the country's president in 2023. In a move many have interpreted as the support for Bola Tinibu, the APC presidential candidate in his tweets, Faiyoshi also affirmed that his party, the PDP, recognizes rotational presidency between the North and the South, arding that it is the Nigerian president from the South in 2023 or nothing. So joining me to discuss this tonight are Chris Itamonola. He is the former commissioner for information in River State and Dayo Kaede, who is a political technocrat. But we'll start with you. Good evening, Mr. Kaede, and thank you for joining us. Yes, good evening, Mary Ann. How are you today? Fine. Thank you. This surfacing of the tweet of Ayo Faiyoshi and of course the interview that was granted by the Benarist state governor, Samuel Autumn, seemed to have a round of lots of people and of course got a lot of reactions. But I'll start with what you have to say about the video or the interview that was granted by the Benarist state governor. Why do you think that he took that step to make those statements? Yes, Governor Autumn of Benarist state is somebody I've always a very, very lofty expectable. And for him to have authored that out shows that he is a party man, a PDP to the core. But definitely when there is an election or nomination, everybody wants to occupy that particular position. But only one person can be chosen. There's no doubt about it that when one person is chosen, others might feel agreed. To that extent, there is need to reach out to whoever is agreed. And to that extent, for Governor Autumn to advise PDP to reach out to Governor Wiki is a very, very good development. And I don't think that before that is a statement, the PDP leadership has talked about that. They are going to send a strong delegation to appeal to Governor Yesung Wiki, which is to me is in a good direction. Because whether anybody likes it or not, to the extent that Governor Wiki could control the number of delegates he was able to control at the National Convention, means that he is a strong PDP person to be recognized. And as a Nigerian, as a Nigerian, I will equal make my own appeal to Governor Wiki to stay online within the PDP fold. You have already gone further to think that maybe there might be a move for Governor Wiki, but he had made mention of the fact that he's a PDP man who's not going anywhere. He's going to stay within the party. But let me move to some of the statements credited to Governor Samo Autumn. He said, and I quote, I'm waiting for him, that's atiku, because there are more things he's expected to do. I expected him to reach out to Wiki, who came second, and he denied him the popular view of PDP members. 14, he said, out of 17 members say that Wiki should be the VP, but in his wisdom, he chose Governor Okoa. He said Okoa is a nice man, and he's my friend. I have no problem with him, but if we're in a democratic era, and 14 out of 17 say that it should be Wiki, and atiku in his wisdom gave it to Okoa, I expect more explanation. And so I ask, does the Vice, the former Vice President, not have the right to choose who he feels would better work with him, as opposed to popular opinion which Governor Samo Autumn is making reference to, and if he does have a right to, why the round? Are you still with me? Yes. Did you hear my question? Yes. Is it? Am I to also reply to that? Yes. Yes. Yes. Now, you see, either we like it or not, the PDP are giving atiku abubaka, the flag of the party, to represent them as the presidential candidate during the 2023 election, and to a very large extent. He has, yes, he has the right to choose the person that will be his running mate, but he has to console the leaders of the party to be able to choose a running mate so that the party will be intact. But in a situation that PDP is now, whereby the statistics as regards who should be the running mate, or who should be the running mate, is a sort of causes of disaffection. It beholls, it beholls on its SLAC article, abubaka, to hold that party together. And how do you hold the party together? By reaching out to others that are feeling decimated. You have to reach out to them and bring them back to the fold and give them the confidence that when eventually the party wins the presidency, everybody will be included in the formation of government. So, and even before Governor Uto proposed that, a large article abubaka had said it, and even discussed with the National Working Committee that they should set up a strong delegation to go and meet Governor Yeson Wiki. That is that. The Governor Yeson Wiki is somebody that I have high regards for. You know why? Because whatever he says is going to do, is going to do it. If Governor Wiki should tell you that good morning, you need not look at your research. He has said that he is the party person that is not going to leave PDP. So I strongly believe that he is not going to leave PDP. But then, the party should reach out to him. The leadership of the party should reach out to him so that he will be able to perform effectively in the coming electionary campaigns. But it's one thing for somebody to bring PDP. It's another thing for him not to be affected. Look at what the former Governor Wiki state is doing. PDP is making it state. Even though he regards himself as a PDP man, but look at what he is doing between PDP and MPC. So the PDP leadership should quickly reach out to Governor Wiki so that he, while he is mine, is so and his body will work with PDP. Call 23 General Relations. Now let's look at other issues. Governor Autumn went on to say that he was one of those people who, one of the 14 out of the 17 who were rooting for the vice presidency of Governor Yehstone Wiki and he said, I'd like to quote him, that we needed Wiki to be vice president so that he can bridge the gap. Now I'm wondering. Do you think that Governor Wiki has the power, has what it takes, you know, the strategy is to be able to bridge the gap because it's not just the south-south that is concerned here. It's about winning votes across the country. Again, many people, many pundits have said that he's more presidential than a vice president and we know that vice presidents are supposed to be yes men, in quote. Do you think that he is most of a presidential personality than a vice president? And do you think, do you agree that he would have been the one in the words of Governor Autumn to bridge the gap between the north and the south? Between you and me, Governor Yehstone Wiki has all the qualities to be the running mate to a largely article. He has what it takes to be the vice president of the country. But then, just as he has all it takes, some other people too are having the same qualities to be the running mates. As regards bridging the gap between the north and the south, there is none of the governance in south-south as south is now that cannot stand in that gap. But I think what really played out was as looking at the south-east to all specify the south-eastal region. If you look at... I'm sorry, Mr. Khayadeh, and you think that Mr. Wike would not be able to bridge the gap between the southeast and the south-south. Is that what you're saying? That Governor Okowa is most appealing? Are you insinuating that Governor Okowa is most appealing to the southeast as opposed to Yehstone Wiki? No, I'm not saying that. They all can, you know, they all can. All those people that are insinuating these are insinuating that. They are just there as political troublemakers. Do you understand? They are trying to denigrate. They are trying to denigrate the personality of Yehstone Wiki so that it could be angry. Please, BDP, we all know this. They are all political statements. Between you and me, if you look at his performances in his state, during his first term and second term, you will give him a very, very high pass mark. When you also look at his comportment at any point in time, the way he handled issues, you will give him a very, very high pass mark. But the thing is, two people cannot occupy one particular position at the same time. Alright, I'm going to come back to you, Mr Coyote. Just hold that thought. Mr Coyote, just hold that thought. I have another guest. We're being joined by the Informal Information Commission at Four Rivers State. Mr Coyote, thank you so much for joining us. Great. Now, you worked under Governor Yehstone Wiki and, of course, you would understand where the governor of Benway State is coming from. Now, for some people, he made an assertion that party men should not necessarily make. Now, especially for the fact that the Vice President, former Vice President Attico Abu Bakr had said he was going to constitute a committee of sorts to appeal to the conscience of Governor Wiki. But looking at what he said, and I'd like to quote Governor Aya Faisheh, who said that Wiki never said he wanted to be VP. But when Attico visited him, he was the one who said, I want you to be my VP. This is according to the former Governor of Benway State, Aya Faisheh. He said that if that then changes, why has former Vice President Attico Abu Bakr not been able to reach out to Governor Wiki? Is it true that there's not been a conversation after everything that happened during and after the PDP Convention? Look, we are going to be no better way to debase a man other than the manner in which my governor had been treated. Let me state in very categorical terms, I've worked with him for the past seven years, and I know Governor Aya's on Wiki. If a man who got 237 votes, where did they come from? They caught across the length and breadth of the nation called Nigeria. But for the stepping down of Tamua, the Governor of Sokoto State, we all know what would have happened. Now, if a man put a doubt book, and you now consider that it wasn't good enough to be able to be a vice, that's point one. The second point is, for example, I'm taking time to listen to my colleague, my brother that is talking on the other side, I don't know him, but for you to say that the comments that are being made is by political jobbers. That means that I'm a political, that means that I'm a political jobber. It's an unfortunate statement. I'd like to let you know, just like he stated, if you compose a committee, 17-month panel to come up with a decision, and of course, as a member of the PDP, I'm aware that a presidential candidate cannot in last night take a decision. And that was why he proposed and submitted himself that, choose me, choose me, a vice presidential candidate. And if at the end of the day, 14 out of 17 give the streets to say that weekend should be, even if you propose to take a contrary opinion. Prior to that particular time, what should we have done? You should, just like the governor of the United States had stated, at least held this man in high esteem. Symbol-handedly, weekend, held this party from 2014. Not capacity in council. Look at what happened in the 2019, PDP convention. The current presidential candidate is just coming in. Coming from another party. Of course, we are not against that. But if you want to do something, let there be equity. So everybody who is saying that, and you know what makes this most embarrassing is, when Artico was going to make the public statement, I wish that they hadn't made that statement that he made, but he chose a cover on the basis of the fact that he had looked and he had the presidential, a future presidential capacity. Also, the other two candidates lack that ability. It's most unfortunate. It is so painful. And whatever decision that, whatever decision my governor will take today, the rest are short. Number one will stand behind him, will stand by him, and it is definitely going to affect the fortunes of PDP if not in the north, at least in the south. Those who are saying that a man, does one man make a forest? You will see examples of that area. You could see that, of course, at the moment that there is already cross-captain and whatsoever. Mr. Tamuna, are you insinuating that Governor Wike may leave the party, because he is succinctly said to us, and I remember that he was not going to leave the party, he would stand by his party. But this statement you just made has some patches on it that seems like the governor is about to make a move of sorts. Do you have an information? My dear lady, I am not Governor Wike, but one thing that is a constant change. Governor Wike could have made a statement to say he's not going to move. But of course, look at the circumstances. Listen to the comment of the former minister, Governor. I mean, you see, of course, no matter how much we try to build the house, even at a particular point in time, you discover that you are not wanted in a particular field. You've got to weigh the options and whatever. I know that my governor is very, I'm asked to think and when he takes a decision, it's definitely going to be a right decision. So for now he hasn't taken that decision for now. He hasn't said anything. But what eventually he does and in the event that he takes the decision to step out of the party, definitely you can be sure that as many of us that are with him will definitely still come by him. All right, let me ask you another question and I want to go back to the former governor of Akiti State, what he said again. He said, and I quote, Wike cannot come out to say that he's supporting Atiku. He said, I dare him to say so because he knows that whatever he says I think I said that again. Well he said and I quote, Wike cannot come out to say that he supports Atiku. And then he went on to say that he dares Governor Wike to say so because he knows that whatever he says will haunt him forever. And he says if Wike supports Atiku we will all abandon him. Does this mean that there is never going to be a handshake across the table to douse this tension that seems to be brewing? Is that the case right now? Well Governor, former governor of Akiti State has spoken in his own mind. But one thing I know is that the governor of Rima State, so I know Wike is a man, a master thinker and if you ask, you see he does I cannot show you one thing. Wike does not have any challenge with the personality of Atiku. But he definitely has challenge with his policies. He definitely will have a challenge in terms of his methodology and if Wike is a person that also is taking a decision takes into consideration the feelings of others. So if he has a thing if he has a thing and foreshades in that thing before such a decision is not going to be unilateral but one thing is that when eventually takes that decision whether it's going to be within or outside it can be in the best interest of he and his followers. All right quickly let me toss back to Mr. Kaede. You heard the former commissioner for information in Rima State and what he has to say he has not necessarily minced words tonight. So I'd like to hear from you Mr. Kaede. Do you see a disintegration of the PDP going forward if something is not done in the interim and how will this affect the fortunes of the PDP being that they are up against the opposition and of course the obedience. Yeah in the first instance let me quickly correct the impression with my dear barista that I never I have never said that he is a political job and I'm not referring to him anyway I'm referring to those that are bringing up statements that are highly sentimental that are highly destructive within the polity and not him. I will say that you see Governor Jason Wiki is a political enigma within this country either anybody likes it or not he is somebody that has been very very active and a lover of the people. I'll be following him since when he was sworn in as the governor for the first time. But then looking at the situation between him and Atticu now I will just want to tell barista as one of his one of the people that he believes in to let him know there is no perfect human being thank God no perfect human being thank God he said he has he has no problem with Atticu's personality rather his type of politics but then the two of them can see come to a round table and have a hand of fellowship across the table because for me I want a Nigeria that will settle down politically because we need to move forward we need to push away those that are reneged on their promises and a single tree can never make a forest no matter how popular Atticu is it cannot win elation elune no matter how strong a general is it will never want to lose any of his lieutenants and lastly so I will say continue to say that Aladji Atticu Abu Bakar should as a matter of urgency set up a high power delegation to go and have a serious discussion yes of wiki of university and by that it will be sure of Ghanani to take him to Asura our time is fast spent I want to say thank you to the former commissioner for information river stage Chris Itamonola and of course Diokayode who is a political technocrat thank you so much gentlemen for being part of the conversation it's our pleasure I am not just for our special advisor special advisor thank you very much for speaking with us alright let's move to the second segment as we take this break when we come back we will be talking about what's also happening within the APC as the president has begged the senators not to break the party we'll be right back