The former Presidential Aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Comrade Jude Imagwe has written an open letter to former Kogi state senator, Dino Melaye over how last minute politicking swayed the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to picking Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate.
Recall that the committee set up to pick a running mate for Atiku opted for Okowa, whom they felt was level headed and had the right temperament to add value to Atiku’s ticket.
“There were also pressures from powerful interests who citied Wike’s hard stance on issues of taxation especially with respect to the Rivers State court case against the Federal Government, on the Value Added Tax.
But Imagwe in a letter to Senator Dino Melaye titled ‘When Tomorrow Comes’ said that the qualities that led to the disqualification of Governor wike as Atiku’s running mate is the same qualities that has made Dino favorite in the eyes of many Nigerians base on his perceived outspokenness, courage, and ability to challenge the status quo.
The letter read:
When Tomorrow Comes!
Dear Senator Dino Melaye, my brother in Comradeship,
The recent developments in the political atmosphere have prompted me to write you this letter. I truly do not want you to interpret this letter as having any negative intent, but it is based on the fact that I am curious about what the future holds for us all.
I have followed closely the processes that led to our party’s primaries, and ultimately, the unveiling of our vice-presidential candidate, in which three of the most respected leaders of the South-South region – all serving Governors, were shortlisted.
I have read a lot of comments about how our great party (PDP) chose its presidential running mate, and some reasons why H.E Governor Wike was not the party’s choice as running mate have raised a lot of concern for me.
So I want you to think about the whole process carefully and look ahead. The qualities that has made you favourite in the eyes of many stems from your perceived outspokenness, courage, and ability to challenge the status quo. These are same qualities why H.E Governor Wike is said not to be fit for the job as a running mate after pulling an impressive performance in the presidential primaries and selected by all the Organs of the party as running mate except the National Chairman Sen Ayu.
It is, therefore, a bit surprising to me some of the reasons people inferred as to why Governor Wike did not emerge as the party’s presidential running mate, despite the numerous contributions and support he has offered to the party over the years when many were silent. I hope that if such criteria are used tomorrow to justify why you should not be chosen for any job you’re qualified for in the party, you will accept them in the same good faith.
I just thought I should share my concerns with you before tomorrow comes!
God bless you my brother and God Bless the PDP and May God continue to bless Nigeria.
Aluta Continua, Victory is certain for Nigerians
Comrade Jude Gabriel IMAGWE