Atiku reportedly ill in Paris with conflicting reports of his mission in France
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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There is no word on the media outlets of the foreign journalists Bwala said interviewed Atiku or publication of the interview.
In contrast, Peter Obi’s interviews on CNN and the BBC earlier this month were broadcast live on both channels, announced on social media, and reported by Nigerian print, online, and broadcast media.
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Lagos Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is shocked by Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike’s endorsement of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) taking delight in Atiku Abubakar’s rush off the campaign stage.
As rumour of Atiku’s ill health broke, Wike undermined the Lagos PDP governorship ticket headed by Olajide Adediran, also known as Jandor, with Funke Akindele as his running mate.
The APC machine, described by the PDP as “a fake news factory”, happily put it out
on Tuesday the PDP presidential candidate is critically ill and was flown to Paris for medical treatment on Monday when he collapsed after his stump in Kaduna.
Atiku Campaign spokesman Daniel Bwala had earlier released photographs of what he said was Atiku in Paris being interviewed by journalists.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki and another Atiku Campaign spokesman Dino Melaye were in the background in one of the photographs (as seen above).
But there is no word on the media outlets of the foreign journalists Bwala said interviewed Atiku or publication of the interview.
In contrast, Peter Obi’s interviews on CNN and the BBC earlier this month were broadcast live on both channels, announced on social media, and reported by Nigerian print, online, and broadcast media.
Wike added salt to the wound of the PDP when he endorsed Sanwo-Olu for a second term at the 22nd conference Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, a decision that upset Lagos PDP Chairman Philip Aivoji.
“Such action is condemnable. It is not a welcomed development at all and it is not expected of a Governor of that stature, a serving Governor under PDP.
“No matter the quarrel, whether you want Ayu to be removed, I don’t think that is the best way to handle it,” Aivoji told The PUNCH.
“As for me and all the leaders in Lagos State, we query such utterances. It is uncalled-for and unnecessary. When you are in PDP, you stand by the party.”
A statement issued by Lagos PDP Publicity Secretary Hakeem Amode, said: “I would have expressed disappointment if Wike had attended any event with a speaking role without his usual rant of a drowning man who will clutch at a straw.”
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Wike justifies endorsement
Wike justified his endorsement, saying: “If Sanwo-Olu is not doing [well], even if he belongs to my party, I will not come here. If you belong to my party and you are not doing well in governance, you won’t see me.
“If you don’t belong to my party and you are doing well, you will see me. Good governance is what I stand for. I will not regret to say that I am in support of you (Sanwo-Olu) for second term. Others should not waste their time.”
APC on Atiku’s ‘ill health’
APC Social Media Communication Femi Fani-Kayode jumped into the vacuum and alleged that after Atiku left his rally in Kaduna on Monday, he complained of being dizzy and later collapsed.
He said Atiku was flown to Paris for medical treatment and his photographs with unidentified journalists were staged to deceive the public.
“After his outing in Kaduna yesterday @atiku fell ill. He complained of dizzy spells and severe pains in his head and all over his body throughout the flight to Abuja,” Fani-Kayode’s tweeted.
“After landing at Abuja airport, he collapsed. He was flown to Paris for medical attention immediately. God be with him.
“For the purposes of damage control, they took pictures of him with others the following morning from Paris but please do not be fooled.
“There is something very wrong with the PDP presidential candidate in terms of his health and they don’t want the Nigerian public to know. Pray for him.”