Gov. Wike Speaks Ahead of PDP Presidential Primaries

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has said many Nigerians would be shocked by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries.

 This was disclosed in a statement by the governor’s media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, in Port Harcourt. 

He noted that the members would support any candidate who wins the party’s presidential ticket to win the 2023 presidential election.

“People should watch, there will be shocked as far as PDP convention is concerned. People should watch what is going to happen. People like to underrate so many persons, and it is not good in politics,” he said.

Speaking further, the governor reacted to a comment by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who expressed confidence that he would clinch the party’s ticket.

Wike said Atiku’s comment could amount to taking convention delegates for granted.

“I didn’t expect him to say that he will always take the ticket of the party. That is going too far and taking the delegates for granted,” Wike stressed.

The Governor added that he will do everything within his power to ensure that the PDP returns to power in 2023 and begin to rebuild the nation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration.

Wike called on members of the PDP  to resist making divisive utterances. The Governor, who also spoke on the timetable which the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC) released at the weekend, expressed confidence that the National Executive Committee (NWC) of the PDP will ensure the party abides by the timetable.

“We are a 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.”

Speaking further, Governor Wike lauded the PDP leadership in Plateau, Cross River, and Ondo State over its victory in Saturday’s bye-election

He noted that the victory of the PDP in the Jos North/Bassa federal constituency in Plateau State would be attributed 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 overall interest of the party.

Governor Wike also commended the party for winning the Akpabuyo State Constituency bye-election in Cross River State.