 Amid heightened romance was chieftain of the ruling all-progressive Congress, APC and internal frictions in the People's Democratic Party PDP. Over the outcome of the party's presidential primaries in May, River State Governor Yosem Wike has maintained that he would not dump the party for any reason. The declaration came as a relief to the party faithful across the country, including the National Chairman, Iyocha Ayu, who yesterday described Wike as a strong party man. Meanwhile, veteran journalist Dele Mamadou, who also has said that the Governor of River State will not dump the main opposition party and is only playing mind games. Well, to break this down, we have joining us Krissi Tamunala, his former Special Advisor to the Governor of River State on Information. And of course, Michael Achimugu, who is a media consultant, has also joined us. Thank you so much, gentlemen. Thank you very much. But I'm sorry, I used to be a special advisor on this party, and then I became a special advisor on Labour. Okay, great. Let's start with you, Ms. Tamunala, because you were part of the kitchen cabinet of Governor Wike, so you obviously have a better idea as to what's happening. Dele Mamadou has been quoted to say that your principle, or your former principle, is only playing mind games and has no plan whatsoever to leave the People's Democratic Party. So again, let me ask, what kind of mind games will Governor Wike be playing and to what end? Thank you again. Dele Mamadou has said that Governor Wike is playing mind games and has no intention to leave the party. So I'm asking, what sort of mind games is the Governor playing and to what end? Let our minds back to the beginning. In 2014, he became Governor, and at that particular time, you know that a good number of the party peers that he has right now, many of them jump, but including our presidential, now presidential candidate for the party, that is the conclusion of the matter. And within that party, Wike is stuck in the party out of love, out of dignity, and then now the things are getting ugly, and all of a sudden, the issues are coming up. For now he's standing. If Wike decides that he wants to leave, so where? Is it to leave the party? So the most important thing is to be within the party that he loves, not because it cannot go, but because of his genuine affection for the party. What is unfortunate is that while he stays in the party, there are also people that are also foiling the cook. I think that we lost Mr. Tamil Nadu. Let me come to Michael. Michael, you've also been watching from the sidelines what's been transpiring between the presidential candidate or the presidential flag wearer of the PDP and of course, the governor of the river state. Many had even said that the governor had ordered allegedly the removal of the party's flags from the government house and of course the party's premises. But then all of those things seem to have been a hoax of sorts. But why do you think that this particular matter has dragged on for so long, even though the vice presidential, the former vice president has stopped to his guns to say that Okowa is a better for him, a better choice for a vice presidential candidate? Why is Governor Wike still dragging this issue? Okay, Mary, let me begin this way, that Nigerians deserve to be taken very seriously by those aspiring to power this election cycle. Because 2023 is way too important for the survival of Nigeria and political parties should either shape up or ship out. Now whatever the truth may be about this entire drama, it might take away from me is that the PDP and the presidential candidate have shown gross incompetence as per complete resolution. There's a lot of grazing, juvenile arrogance being flown around and if we are to take into consideration what most of their social media aids have been writing, then I'm also worried that they lack good advisors for times like this. Going forward, all of this drama, first of all, less than eight months to the most crucial election in Nigeria's history is both unnecessary and avoidable. I have a sense of sympathy for BK. I know what it feels like to be respected after putting in so much work so I stand with him, sort of. He doesn't know me, I don't work for him but I have seen this thing play over again. Incidentally, 24 hours before Governor Kowa's announcement and the run-in made through the Waziri, I had spoken with the Waziri and I gave him my take and he agreed with me. Now, if the PDP are unable to resolve a conflict such as this in how, within one or two weeks, serious crisis, there's going to be a lot of negotiations with people, countries with whole money too, trade unions here in Nigeria, labour and the rest of them, how are they going to deal with these issues? I am praying and hoping that a more serious party can take advantage of this situation and cruise to power because this is not time for, these distractions are totally unnecessary for Nigeria at this time. If I were the one, given BK's importance to the party, despite PDP's intent as to saying that BK is not really relevant to their electoral plan, yet they keep sending people delegations to him to try and resolve the crisis, if I were the one, what I would do is grant him as many concessions as possible and guarantee him working for the party. The elections are just next to here. May come May 29 and if they get the victory and the president takes over, then you know that Nigeria's president has enormous powers. There's no pretend about that. By that time, if I put BK in his place, that is assuming but not conceding that he's the hydro-headed demon between him to be. I think that this has gone on for too long and it's really a shame for the PDP. Honestly, this is not what we need at the moment. Back to you, Mr Tamil Nadu. I think we've gotten you back. The governor has outrightly denied all of the claims that he was removing the party's flags. He was, he instituted a suit against the party and Atiku. I'd like to quote him directly. He said, if I, if you wanted, okay. Well, he said, I want to tell the candidate. It is the candidate's group that are doing all these things. Let the world hear. This is Governor Wike speaking. They are the ones plotting all of these things. Thinking they will spoil my name. He ended up by, he ended it by saying, you cannot. Now, he also explained that if he wanted to institute a legal action against the outcome of the PDP presidential primary, he would have done that within two weeks after the primary. And he has said again that if the vice president Atiku Abu Bakar wins or loses, loses, I beg your pardon, that it's because of the people around him. So do you think that the handlers of the former vice president Atiku Abu Bakar are targeting the governor of river states if that's what you think? Why? Look, our governor, Mr Wike, is a very intelligent, very passionate person for the past that the PDP is concerned. Governor is a leader by background. And don't take a track record of all the cases that have been instituted under the current administration. And you will understand that. Like hardly anyone does. The reverse the government has lost. The purpose of this foundation is to be said that what the governor has said is very apt, very true. There are people, a few have stated, if he had wanted to go to court, he would have done it. I mean, it's a pre-lesson matter. So you must get within two weeks from the period of infraction. He never did that. One thing is certain. You have spoilers within the party. There are people that will do anything. I mean, it was him. Some of them are too frustrated people who, on the one hand, give an impression that they're not there. But later candidates, for most of the sudden, are thinking that that person was wrong. So Mr. Tamunola, you're insinuating that there are saboteurs within the article campaign team. And I'm still wondering, why would there be saboteurs within a campaign team in a party that's been trying to get into power in the past eight years? And at a time such as this, just like Michael said, why should the party be dealing with this kind of back and forth when they should be gathering together and getting ready for campaign season? The question is their breath from answer. The question is their breath from answer. And the only thing we will tell you, when you make your friends to laugh at the party, understand that there can be no logic without a legal instruction. And of course, by time you go to the court, you'll be able to assess the names of not all the parties, but also the censors. Let them pick up the censor, and at the end of the day you get to the root of it. But the most important thing, the governor has said he didn't do that, he's not scared of anybody. If he needed to do that, he would not need the consent of any particular party. He has his group within the party. They are ineligible to make sure that there's given certain conditions to the presidential candidate. I think that everybody needs one another. For thing that, for the presidential team to think that oh, we reverse take a weekend and be done away with. I think that's in error. The governor needs the party. The party also needs him. Not only does the presidential team need reverse. The presidential team also needs the influence of the reverse take problem in the South, South, in South Africa. We are talking about the South Africa, we are talking about the West, the East, and the South Africa. And of course, we also need the government influence of the government, even in the North and West. We can take a queue regarding the 237 votes to vote, which is a wide spread. You know that the government must have some circumstances but for what's done well, we, the government, should not go to state. There was nothing that was going to stand on the factor of the reverse take problem in willing that the presidential team. For that one, it's already history. The most important thing is that the presidential candidate must take the board by the hand. It's a test here for him. So this coming, how, I mean, how is the capacity input in resolving this conflict is definitely going to indicate how the government will be able to resolve issues of national interest by the message of trust to the office of the president of the federal government of Nigeria. We also need to solve this. You need humility. You need to open-heartedness. You need to disbelieve and gather your people. You guys, every time that the CCP needs to win it, it can't be better than now. Let me talk to you about this. Yes, let me go back to you, Michael. There was a list of demands that the Wiki group had pushed to the national asking for the chairman to step down. We also heard Bodejad, the senior party chieftain also pushing that he steps down, being that the class he's flag-wearing is from the north, and then the South deserves a chance. Again, that group also pushed that Attico's ticket will be a one-term ticket and not a two-term ticket if he wins the election. Let's look at these list of demands and what Bodejad's position is for the party. Do we see a depreciation in the major opposition because of this issue? How soon do you see, with the body language of everybody concerned, how soon do you see this coming to an end? With regards to the chairman of the party, your chair is from the north and Attico is also from the north. You know what they say about justice, not only being done, but being seen to be done. If right now, no matter what the constitution of the party says, if the middle plumber of the crops of the matter, I don't see it as a big deal. I think that what is in the best interest of Nigerians should be at the forefront of these negotiations for the main opposition party. IU is friends with Attico and she'll have no problem stepping down if this is for the greater good. You see, with regards to the one-term thing, Attico had mentioned at some time in the past that he would serve for one term if he wins the election. It's one thing to say that that you know the allure of power until we get to that bridge, we wouldn't know how it's going to be when we cross it. VK is a very strong character and a lot is going to hang on the people advising the presidential candidate and people I do not have much confidence in. Already we see, we read their statements on social media and one can tell that there's a certain arrogant around this person. But you see, like I always say to such persons, there is no written in the constitution in the Bible or the Quran that Attico must become president of Nigeria. And these people need to have this at the back of their minds. What if VK supports another party and they win the elections? Or what if VK does not support any party at all but does not hit the finger in support of PDP and they also... VK has said that he's not going to play any anti-party politics and that he supports and will stay in his party. We have to please God and pray for the politicians. The governor clearly stated that he's not going anywhere and he's in full support of the party. So these what-ifs, do they really hold a place here? Because you're making a probability statement here but the governor has come out to say... You know, I told him in people's interview. Well... Go ahead. Yeah, he has said so categorically but I did tell you the last time we spoke about VK that it's possible for a man to say okay, I will stay but I still work against you from inside. It is supported, it's not a new phenomenon in politics. Does it seem to you that Governor VK may be losing his grasp of the party being that he single-handedly for some pundits who said this, that he single-handedly held the party together when others went to seek for in quotes, greener pastures in other political parties or other stepped away? He seemed to have been the one holding it together. Do you think that the reason why he's still screaming and kicking is because he does not want to lose that grip on the party? Michael? Talking about VK, his tenure as governor is coming to an end. I think this is part of why he's been treated this way. The general feeling is that when he comes to the end of his tenure he will take whatever is thrown at him in many bands beyond 223. But I think that VK's character is a little bit tougher than they have been going for. Yes, his grasp on the party will definitely be diminished. But he also doesn't guarantee that all will be well for the VK, even if VK is no longer in charge. Back to you, Mr. Terminal. I have a very question that has been lingering in my head. Just to pick up from where Michael stopped, the fact that people are making a case for Governor VK, for example, the River State PDP Chairman, Desmond O'Cowell told a newspaper during an interview that the governor had single-handedly helped the party together, cajoled people to come together and, of course, keep the party up and running. But again, I'm asking, should a party man be seeking for a reward of sorts because of what he's doing to make his own party work? Is there a reward system of sorts? Like, oh, you stayed in the party. Let's give you a ticket. Or let's give you something. Is that what it should be in the PDP? Because I have no idea. For a good message, the purpose of belonging to an association is because of rights and obligations and benefits. You can't belong to whether MVA, whether to the media stations and whatsoever. There are obligations and you return that are also right. Of course, the dog know first and foremost the first dimension of this is ensuring that PDP is maintained as a party to be jealous of, and especially in its time period from 2014 to today. And we are able to say that but for the step taken by the dog know, I mean in terms of in terms of agility and in terms of prowess and whatever whether within or outside of the reverse state it's been asked and the Bible itself says that the laborer is worthy of his wedgie. At that point, 1.2 is it becomes even more serious the fact that they came together at the dog know column headed by the south side dog know column to be inspected that the president in 2023 should come from the south. That was an understanding we respect you of the PDP of FTC but they all came together and in 2019 the PDP dog know from the south none of that was going to contest more importantly that the tickets will come from the month and to that extent I, this is my personal view not the view of any other person I saw the current arrangements now after a political affair but not to stand in the dog know how statehood it is painful, I felt for him we all feel for him so if you are working about the reverse system if you didn't get the president architect and this group came together and not are working for if he came together and said that and by vote that dog know what it is now become the right you want to see I was going to make him the right you should look at the public people the objective statements that were made are the reasons why you are doing the other thing so you are telling me so you are telling me that all of this so you are telling me that all of this is because of governor weakest personal interest because that is what it sounds like to me and not necessarily fighting for rivers people or even people in the south is this what you are saying I would have said that he was fighting for the party he was fighting for rivers people but at the same time if you have done well of what people should also be created okay so why is there all the candidates who are seen at the national state level why are they going is it not because they believe that they have done well if you think that would be what color does not I am bursting I am bursting when you have anybody wanting to confront him in terms of the business so if you have done well or if you have done well it is time for others to do the job so in that other we are talking about in terms of the work system there is nothing wrong with this it is only God that knows the mindset of the human being okay I mean I wonder where the place of the average voter comes into this conversation but let me come back to you Michael the chairman of the PDP Iota IU was quoted to say that the governor had come out to clearly state that there was no party to the suits that was allegedly said to have been put against the PDP and Atiku he has also said that the APC is responsible for dividing the party for the divisions that are going in going on within the party I am wondering how true is this and if this is what the party chairman thinks or believes is the cost of the problems within the party do you think that this problem again I am asking can be solved if this is what they are thinking that the APC is the one responsible for the divisions why should a party be allowed for outsiders to come into the party and dictate what happens okay when the premium times which is supposed to be a credible medium put out this story let me read out something they said that the parties to the file the case rather include Mr. Wike and the PDP chief to explain Newton and Kamon both of them are the plaintiffs and led the plaintiffs and the suit is smart you know FHC APJ basically the details of the file suit are here listed now is this Newton actually a PDP person because for anyone to come out and say is the APC because if this crisis does not exist in the first place what would the APC have taken advantage of? Are we not seeing that there's actually crisis between the party and Governor Wike? It's possible that a case was filed maybe by this Newton person because it lists Wike as a second plaintiff here. So is it possible that this other person filed this case without Wike's consent? I think possibility. I still don't know what to say and I don't usually agree with him but in this case it's possible that Wike is playing mind games. You know also what every other journalist will need to do perhaps to be to check out if this case was actually ever filed following what the reports by Crimean Times. However the PDB better resolve this crisis immediately. Okay well I want to say thank you gentlemen. Unfortunately Michael your your connection has been pretty up and down but Chrissy Taminolla was a former special adviser to the governor of River State and Michael Achimagu is a media consort and thank you so much gentlemen for being part of the conversation we appreciate it. Thank you all for joining us on the show tonight. We hope that you had a pleasant time on the show but don't forget the future of Nigeria is in your hands. You decide how it plays out so get your PVC, get ready to vote, find out where your ward is, where your polling unit is and make sure that you catch your vote. Wait, watch it get counted and then you can go home. The Nigeria that we want is us who's going to build it. I am Mary Anacorn. Thank you for watching.