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Gov. Wike Blast Secondus over NEC’s Stand on Party National Chairman

Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the governor of Rivers State, had mocked Prince Uche Secondus, the former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was allegedly dancing when Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the embattled PDP national chairman, received a vote of confidence from the party’s National Executive Council (NEC).

Governor Wike stated that the NEC’s decision would not stop him and others from arguing that the current structural imbalance within the party needs to be corrected.

The governor spoke during the 11th Hour homecoming and welcome, hosted at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt on Saturday for decampees from other political parties who have joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State.

“I was listening and watching, they said there is one man they call Secondus. They said he was dancing, celebrating that NEC gave their person a vote of confidence. He forgets history. Ask him the same NEC through Aliyu Babangida moved a motion of vote of confidence supported by the same person, Ndudi Elumelu. They gave you (Secondus) a vote of confidence, what happened? You left office.

“We don’t fight and go back. If you like, you can have as many as 20 votes of confidence, it’s not my business. My business is to make sure the right thing is done, and the right thing must be done. Whether today or tomorrow.”

He asserted that his administration has continued to oversee state government despite the intensifying political alignment and talks.

The governor said that his commitment to giving effective leadership up until the very end of his term was motivated by his love for the State.

“I’m not going to play party with the interest of my people. Rivers State is paramount to me first before any other person or group.

“So, the eyes can see what we have done. Up till today, we have never abandoned governance. So many people are already rounding up, taking the last they have, but yet, we are still committed to commissioning, and flagging off projects.

“Because of the love we have for our people, we will continue to serve you till May 29, when by the grace of God, Siminialaye Fubara will be inaugurated the governor of Rivers State.”

Governor Wike praised the decampees for having the guts to rejoin their political family because, in Rivers State, only the PDP is capable of winning elections.

“PDP is a household name in Rivers State. Let me assure you that we will all work with you. Nothing like somebody who has been there since and somebody who has just come back. The more, the merrier.

“So, all of us must put hands together to make sure our governorship candidate, the National Assembly candidates, the House of Assembly candidates, at least from Rivers State, we return them 100 per cent. That’s our primary duty.”

The governor characterised other political candidates’ efforts as merely attempts to get on the ballot because they had no chance of succeeding.

According to Governor Wike, the PDP’s chances of victory depend on how bravely the party and his government have defended the interests of the State.

“If God gives you the ticket of PDP in this State, go home and sew your cloth for the inauguration day.

“Because what will any Rivers man or woman say that he or she wants to vote for any other person in Rivers State? As a party, we have kept faith in our people. As a party, we have stood for our people. As a party, we have never allowed intimidation from any quarter, and that is what we are talking about the interest of Rivers State.

“Remember, before I came on board, one state had our property with them. As I came in as governor, with the support and prayer of our people, we took all our property back.”

Governor Wike said that a fresh approach would be used for the upcoming political campaign, replacing political “bigmen” with individuals who live among their people in different communities.

He claims that during the general elections, those who live with their people will be used to represent their wards and units.

Ambassador Desmond Akawor, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) chairman for Rivers State, said the party is awarding governor Wike a certificate for excellence in performance because he has beyond their expectations.

According to Ambassador Akawor, the decampees from the various political parties have observed governor Wike’s unequal transformational performance while in power.

He cited several reputable projects as the causes of the decampees’ return to the PDP, including the establishment of the Nabo Graham Douglas campus of the Nigerian Law School in the State, the Real Madrid Academy, and the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Diagnostics and Treatment Centre.

Speaking on behalf of the decampees from the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, a former member of the All Progressives Congress, APC Board of Trustees, said they had a regrettable political adventure while in their previous parties but had self-volunteered their way back to the PDP.

Dr. Jaja characterised Governor Wike as a kind, gentle, and gracious leader who was made to serve the people.

He promised their utmost loyalty and said they would join the PDP in order to free the oppressed, restructure the state’s new period of transition, and support the development of the less fortunate.

Princewill Dike claimed on behalf of decampees from the Rivers East Senatorial District that he was a depressed man while serving as the APC’s chief propagandist because the various advancements made by governor Wike were too evident to be a falsehood.

George Tolofari, a former transportation commissioner in the Chibuike Amaechi government, spoke on behalf of decampees from the Rivers West Senatorial District and expressed their happiness to be back in the PDP.

Akuku Toru Local Government’s former chairman, Dr. Theodore Georgewill, expressed regret for leaving the PDP when it needed them the most.

He claimed that they have returned with the knowledge that the APC is no more and that they are committed to casting 90% of the ballots because they trust governor Wike’s leadership.

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