…. As fintri, Ude procures guber forms.
By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
As part of his strategies to woo delegates to his side ahead of the 2023 Presidential Primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has commenced strategic consultation meeting with members of the National Assembly.
The governor, in a meeting with the lawmakers on Tuesday evening in Abuja officially informed them that his score card as the governor of the Rivers State speaks volumes and qualifies him for the plum job.
Wike said that zoning has been a tradition in the PDP and urged members not distort the intention of the founding fathers.
“Our founding fathers never made a mistake, they know the complexity of this country, it is not because they don’t want merit, no, but they said for Nigeria to move forward, this is the way we are going to do it for fairness, equity and justice.
“In the general provision of section 7 3c, the constitution provides that there shall be rotation of party offices and elective positions for fairness, equity and justice.
“Some people argued let us win first before we share. But when we zoned in 2017, what did we have, were we in power? People should speak the truth; it doesn’t stop you from running election. You won’t because I want to run for president, I will want to go and tell lies to people, we don’t do that, that is not fair.
“In 2017 we zoned and everybody knew, I championed Tambuwal’s election, I have no regret about it, if such an opportunity comes again I will do the same thing but let us tell ourselves the truth and that was why nobody came from the south to even collect form. We all agreed, zone it here, it doesn’t stop you from running election. But don’t scatter what the founding fathers have laid down because of your selfish interest,” Wike cautioned.
On his pedigree to clinch the number one position in the country, he continued.
“To manage Rivers state is not an easy thing. Suswan has come to commission projects, the minority leader has come to commission projects, so many people, I have transformed Rivers state. Allow me this opportunity and see the way I will transform Nigeria; it will be unprecedented” he boasted.
He said that as a President, he cannot commence a project he cannot finish. “Any project I cannot do and I cannot complete, It will never be in my budget. I don’t do something when I have no money”.
He said that the country is at a cross road and the PDP needs to present a credible candidate, “a strong and determined person” adding that he is presenting himself and most qualified to shoulder the responsibility.
“So I have come to solicit, give me your votes, don’t waste it, this is the man that will deliver. Some of you say some people don’t like me, must everybody like you, when everybody likes you then you have a problem.
“What is important is, for now, who can do this job. Who can go and meet APC, the fight has started. And I am sure APC wherever they are now, they are not sleeping because they know I have come out and it will not be easy.
“I want to appeal to all of you, today is 29th March 2022, I beg you for the interest of our party, I have made myself available, age is on my side, too much energy to run around and solve the problems of this country. So I am making myself available, remove sentiments” the Rivers governor pleaded.
He assured that party that he will still work hard to return the much needed votes from Rivers state to the party even if he does not emerge as its Presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, a group known as Adamawa citizens purchased the governorship Expression of Interest and Nomination form for the governor of Adamawa State, Gov. Umari Fintri.
Speaking to journalists at the PDP headquarters after paying the mandatory N21 million fee, the group led by Abdulrahman Bobboi said that the governor has transformed the state in all sectors and deserve to be given a second chance.
According to him, “Governor Fintri has done marvelously well in Adamawa state. He has constructed 347 Kilometer of rural roads across the 21 local government in Adamawa. State. With this, you will see that the trade unions are here with us, the business community, are here with us, they are here because they are serious and they have seen that the good the governor is doing a very good work in Adamawa state.
He is a very resourceful personality. He headed the national convention of this great party, and you are all witnesses to the successful convention we had which has never been so in the history of PDP.
“If you have not been in Yola, for the past two years, if you go to your today, and you begin to see flyovers in the city, you will begin to see a lot of roads. What I have mentioned for you now are things that he is doing for the people of Adamawa state”.
The group was optimistic that the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, the Secretary to the State Government Boss Mustapha and the Chairman of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) who are strong members of the All Progressives Congress will not affect his nomination.
“We have no business with the people you have mentioned, we respect them. We respect their position, but we’re in PDP, they’re in another party. But however, I want to assure you that the influence of Governor Fintri has cut across political parties. You will be shocked to see people in other political parties supporting him, helping him because we have resolved in Adamawa that we need peace and we need development”
On the same note, Dr. Kingsley Ude popularly known as Okaibe, also picked the party nomination and expression of interest forms for Enugu State governorship election at the PDP headquarters in Abuja.
Ude who commended the people of the state for given him their support to run for the election, said he was not only the best man for the job, but well prepared to lead.
“I thank everyone that believe in my capability not only encourage me to buy the forms, but also win the election and usher in the golden age in Enugu State.
“I am the best man for the job because I am fully prepared by the incumbent governor and the people of the society.
“I am a bridged between the young and the old. I will empower the young and take care of the old.
“I am well prepared to offer modern leadership. We are coming with a vision that every stakeholders of the state have already said yes to,” Ude said.
