The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has dismissed claims that the State Governor, Nyesom Wike, banned its members from campaigning for the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar in the State.

PDP State Publicity Secretary, Tambari Gbara, stressed that Wike never banned party chieftains from campaigning for Atiku in Rivers State.

Gbara was reacting to claims by a former Rivers Southeast Senator, Ledogo Maeba, that Wike warned some chieftains of the party against campaigning for Atiku in the State.

Maeba said Wike had issued the warning after he and some chieftains of the party visited Atiku and apologized on behalf of the governor.

The former lawmaker said the governor reprimanded them for visiting Atiku without his consent.

Maeba said Wike also threatened that anyone who campaigned for Atiku in Rivers State without his permission would be dealt with.

However, Gbara challenged Maeba to prove his allegation that Wike issued a threat against anyone campaigning for Atiku in the State.

In a statement, Gbara said: “If the governor wants to make that statement, he would make it official, that, in the State, nobody should campaign for Atiku Abubakar.

“Governor Wike is not somebody that hides his feelings. If he wants to say that, I don’t think he would say it privately. So, the person making the allegation should come out and prove himself.

“He (Maeba) should be able to furnish Rivers people and Nigerians with evidence.”