Wike vs. Atiku: ‘Mystery’ Man Behind PDP, Tambuwal Suit Revealed

By Adeleye Kunle

Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe, a former presidential candidate on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, has claimed that he is behind the suit challenging the party’s presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, rather than Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.
Denial In A Controversial Case
A suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022, allegedly instituted by Wike and one Newgent Ekamon, had previously been filed against the PDP presidential candidate; Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal; and the PDP over the conduct of the party’s presidential primary, which was held in Abuja on May 28 and May 29, 2022.

Ekamon asked the court to rule on eight issues, including whether transferring Tambuwal’s primary votes to Atiku was illegal and void.

Wike, through his media aide Kelvin Ebiri, distanced himself from the case on Friday, accusing Atiku supporters of initiating the court case.

“Throughout the morning, people called me and said various things, including that I went to court against Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.” “I want to state unequivocally that if I have a reason to go to court, I will go to court,” he had stated.

“They also claimed that I removed all PDP flags from the Rivers State Government House yesterday.” But I only have to say these things to let Nigerians know that I have remained silent and am busy delivering dividends of democracy in order for my party to win the Rivers State election.

“But I want to tell the candidate that all of these things are being done by the candidate’s group.” Let the world know, they are the ones plotting all of this, thinking they can ruin my name; they cannot.”

Uncovering the Mystery Man
Former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Ndukwe, told Vanguard that he decided to sue Atiku and the PDP over zoning violations in the party’s constitution.

Although his name was not mentioned in the suit, Ndukwe claimed that the PDP had enshrined zoning in its constitution over the years and followed it for equity and justice.

He expressed surprise that the party decided to abandon zoning in selecting its presidential flag bearer for 2023 for no apparent reason.

“That suit they say Wike went to court in is my suit,” Ndukwe said. Wike did not appear in court. I went to court because the PDP violated its constitution.

“The case is now before the Supreme Court.” On Thursday, the necessary parties were served with the court processes. That is why they assumed it was Wike.”

Following the PDP Constitution
Ndukwe, a former General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), claimed that the PDP had not learned the consequences of impunity, and that the party was still violating its constitution due to the vested interests of some people.

According to him, no one forced the main opposition party to include zoning in its constitution, but the PDP must follow it.

Ndukwe stated: “We made the decision to appeal to the Supreme Court. “The Supreme Court will hear the case and rule within 45 days,” he said.

“I am confident that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of equity and justice.” It is a constitutional issue, and no one will be allowed to violate the constitution and walk free.

“How can the PDP refuse to follow the constitution it drafted for itself?” They now claim to be following the Nigerian constitution, which guarantees freedom of association. But the question is whether the party was forced to write a constitution that recognized zoning.

“You are aware that the Nigerian Constitution allows for freedom of association, and you have decided to create your own constitution, which is, of course, binding on you.”

“The PDP agreed to zoning even when other parties were not interested, and the party has always respected that agreement.” You stated that zoning is for fairness and equity, so why does the PDP want to abolish it now?”

North versus South
He stated that the party used the same zoning in selecting its hierarchy, but it abandoned zoning when it came to presidential candidates.

Ndukwe stated that the North has the presidential candidate, National Chairman, and Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, and that the South East is completely out of the running.

This article first appeared on Track News.