From Douglas Blessing, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has described a recent statement credited to former Vice President and presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar that he will always clinch the party’s presidential ticket, as taking the delegates for granted
The Governor however assured that the entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will rally support for whoever that emerges of all the aspirants at the presidential primaries, adding that that the outcome of the presidential primaries will shock Nigerians.
Governor Wike who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, said he is committed to do anything that will ensure PDP returns to power in 2023, and begin once again the process of rebuilding the nation after years of All Progressives Congress’ (APC) poor governance.
The Rivers State governor, urged PDP members to resist making divisive utterances and declared that the outcome of the party’s presidential election will shock many.
“People should watch, there will be shock as far as PDP convention is concern. People should watch what is going to happen. People like to underrate so many persons and it is not good in politics.”
Speaking on the timetable just released by the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC) timetable over the weekend, Governor Wike expressed confidence that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP will ensure the party abides by the timetable.
“We are law abiding party. The party will soon meet, the NEC will meet and find the way forward on how we will put our house in order and make sure we religiously follow the timetable of INEC without violating any provision of the law and guidelines that INEC may have produced.”
Governor Wike, said comment by former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate in the 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar that he will always clinch the party could amount to taking convention delegates for granted.
“I didn’t expect him frankly speaking to say that he will always take the ticket of the party. That is going too far and taking the delegates for granted.”
Governor Wike commended PDP leadership in Plateau, Cross River and Ondo State for the sterling performance of the party in Saturday’s bye election.
He attributed the victory of the PDP in the Jos North/Bassa federal constituency in Plateau State to the recent decision of the former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FTC), Senator Jeremiah Useni to set aside their differences and work for the interest of the party.
Governor Wike also lauded the PDP for winning the Akpabuyo State Constituency bye-election in Cross River State, irrespective of the violence unleashed by the APC government in the State.
