PDP’s VP slot crisis: We recommended Wike as Atiku’s running mate, not Okowa- Ortom opens up

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday revealed how he and 14 others strongly rooted for his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, to emerge the running mate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Governor Ortom speaking on Arise TV The Morning Show said the 17 member committee set up by Atiku, 14 of them recommended Wike as the preferred running mate which Atiku ignored instead he went and picked Okowa, declaring that Atiku should meet Wike himself instead of sending emissaries-
Below is the question and answer from the interview: Question: What is happening in your party , we sense some silence around it .
Ortom: I was among the 17 member committee set up by Atiku and 14 of us in the committee said the person should be Wike .
Unfortunately, Atiku picked Okowa, that is his wisdom .
You cannot ignore decision of a committee you set up yourself and expect people to be happy .
For now , I have gone into hibernation.
Question: will you support the candidature of the PDP ?
Ortom: I am in hibernation. I Am praying. When I finish the prayers and whatever God directs me , I will do .
We expect Atiku to do more but we are not seeing that .
Question: Party sources are saying that the camp of Atiku is trying to reach out to Wike but he has been ignoring their calls .
Ortom: They should stop that.
Atiku should go to him .
Why won’t he ignore their calls .
Is that not an insult ? Wike is a pillar in the party .
Currently , Nobody in the party has contributed more for the party to move forward than Wike .
If Atiku was not going to honour the decision of the committee, he should have called Wike earlier and informed him . He didn’t do that .
You can’t do things anyhow and expect us to be happy .”