… Receives Nwuke, Deeyah, other APC, AAC decampees
Rivers State Governor, Nyeson Wike, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will return to power in 2023 as governors elected o the platform of the party were working in unison to ensure that the it wins the presidential election.
He stated that contrary to the expectation of those who do not wish the party well, all the PDP governors were working hard to ensure the party regains the realm of power in 2023.
Wike gave the assurance at a reception for chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, including its former spokesperson, Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke; and all the 23 local government chairmen of African Action Congress (AAC), who dumped their parties to join the PDP at the Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt o Thursday.
“We are fighting hard and God willing, PDP will takeover Nigeria in 2023. It is not a question of wishful thinking. It is a question of being committed and we are going to do it. All the governors of (PDP) have agreed, we will do it. PDP will never be divided. All the people who are thinking that PDP will be divided, they have all failed. All those who were trying to sabotage Rivers State, they have all been knocked out.”
Wike explained that he was not surprised that Nwuke and others have decided to dump the APC.
According to him, those who decamped have merely come to the realisation that they cannot continue to be misguided and listen to illusive stories, particularly of the APC.
He said the people of Rivers State have seen that the PDP means well for them, hence, they have decided to put their fate in the hands of Almighty God first, and then the PDP.
The governor stated that PDP in the state has never been owned by an individual as was the case with the APC.
He assured those who just decamped to the party, and others who will join them in the future, that when decision to pick his successor will be made, they will not be excluded.
“Everybody must participate, and then we will take decision. It can be those who are coming now, you never can tell. Nobody can say because you came in yesterday, or because you came in today, you are not entitled. Everybody is entitled as far as PDP is concern.”
Wike reiterated that Nigerians have since realised that APC-led government has failed in all sectors.
He challenged the remnants of the APC to mention what Federal Government has done for Rivers State in the last six years.
The governor expressed optimism that the sterling performance of his administration, particularly as it concerns infrastructural and human capacity development, has continued to endear the party to voters in the State.
“No one project awarded by this administration will remain abandoned before we leave on May 29, 2023. And then, another PDP government will come and take over from us. Let me assure you, God has already sealed it. Let nobody bother himself, PDP will take over Rivers State again because it is very obvious. Why will PDP take over? We will take over because we have made promises to you and we have fulfilled the promises.”
The governor further charged all the PDP local government chairmen to ensure that those who just decamped to the party are not alienated.
In his remarks, the former Rivers State APC spokesperson, Ogbonna Nwuke, said that in the last six years, they have been in the wilderness.
“We were promised change, but I will say we did not find change in Etche. All politics is local and I couldn’t stand by, do the fighting and watch those who superintended over the affairs of the APC act in a manner that appeared callous. Accordingly, we have found our way out of wilderness. We have stumbled into light and we have found development partner and that development partner is the PDP.
“We have seen the good road that you built. First, you gave us the Igwuruta-Chokocho dual carriage road. Then, you gave us the Udofor-Akpoku-UmuoyeRoad.And the other day you returned and then you gave us the announcement of the Chokocho-Igbodo Road. Your Excellency, there is jubilation in Etche. I am jubilant myself.
“I am excited. And to tell you the candid truth, there could have been no better news. Today your Excellency, I have come back home. Honestly, there can be nothing better than home. Etche has 205 oil wells, Etche has over 80percent of gas deposit south of River Niger and Your Excellency, you have already identified our need. What Etche needs is access.”
A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Emma Deeyah, who also dumped the APC, said they were endeared to Wike because of his bold and courageous leadership in the state.
Chairman of the PDP in Rivers State, Amb Desmond Akawor, said all the former APC chieftains and AAC members that decamped to the PDP, were lured to join opposition by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi.
He remarked that having realised that the APC has nothing to offer the people of the state and Nigerians; they decided to dump the party and all that it represents to join the PDP.
Some members of the APC that decamped to the PDP are former member of House of Representatives, Hon Daemi Akpanah; former member of House of Assembly, Hon Ibiso Nwuche; former Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Stephen Ezekwem; former Commissioner of Works, Levi Braide; former member of House of Assembly, Hon Emmanuel Okata; former chairman, Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Ngo Martins-Yellowe; Goodlife Nmekini, former Special Adviser to Governor Chibuike Amaechi; Dr. Barinedum Nwibere, former Director General, Cole/Giadom campaign organisation, among others.
