Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has vowed not to leave the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for whatever reason and to continue the battle against injustice within the organisation.
At a stakeholders meeting on Thursday held at the Government House in Port Harcourt, he said this.
Governor Wike reaffirmed that he will stick with the PDP and work to establish its unity, inclusion, equity, and peace.
The governor claimed that, in contrast to those who could not fulfil their word and left the party at Eagle Square in Abuja in 2014, he is a man of character.
"One thing I've constantly warned folks is that if somebody thinks or acts in any way that suggests we'll leave the PDP, foul. We'll engage in combat within the group. We are not like them when they left Eagle Square in 2014. They overlooked. They left and joined APC by leaving. Is this not accurate?
Did they continue to quarrel within the party? They fled, while we stayed. Now that there is fighting within the group, we won't leave. We'll battle it together in this group. Runaway fighters are weak individuals. No, we won't. Therefore, everyone should be aware of the current situation. so that no one gives you any story of any type.
The governor of Wike emphasised that the zone system for elective and party offices was clearly spelled out in the party constitution and should be adhered to.
Governor Wike questioned why the former PDP BoT chairman would be under pressure to quit and why Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the PDP national chairman, is making excuses for not upholding the moral high ground.
The director general of the campaign, the party chairman, and the presidential candidate have all been taken. We're discussing party politics. The presidential candidate, party chairman, and campaign director-general make decisions.
"They claim to have requested the resignation of the BOT chairperson. You are aware that there is an issue. You advised him to leave and resign. When his term hasn't ended, you can exert pressure on him to resign. However, you cannot compel the chairman to step down. You believe that by lying to us, you may fool us. You'll narrate tales to us.
Governor Wike remembered how the federal government attempted to invade Rivers State in 2015 using the military, meddle with elections, and even have them cancelled, but was met with resistance.
The governor recalled that he saw to it that the results of the senate elections in Rivers East, which produced Senator George Thompson Sekibo, and Rivers West, which produced Senator Betty Apiafi, were declared.
Governor Wike lamented the fact that the same individuals are now plotting against him in Abuja despite the danger they took to deliver them. He claimed that since God had benefited him, they would fail.
The governor of Rivers State further stated that, despite pressure from some PDP officials and attempts to split the State House of Assembly, he never promised anyone the party's governorship ticket.
Governor Wike claimed that despite not winning the PDP presidential nomination, he did well during the primaries.
The governor announced that by the following week, the Rivers State PDP campaign team would be introduced, and the campaign strategy would be focused on the unique characteristics of each local government.
Governor Wike emphasised that all PDP candidates in the State would be re-elected by Rivers residents who were pleased with his administration's performance.
"All will be ours. We're taking everything because the people of Rivers are pleased with what we've accomplished in this state. Along with building infrastructure, we also stood up for Rivers State's interests.
He emphasised that protecting Rivers State's interests and assets without surrendering them through politics required guts and firmness on his part.
In addition to recovering oil wells that had been wrongfully ceded to Imo State and collecting accruing revenue from the oil wells in the disputed area between Rivers and Bayelsa States, Governor Wike explained that his administration had also obtained a refund of money that had been improperly taken from the Police Trust Fund by the Federal Government.
The governor claimed that because Nigerians will choose their political parties based on their performance, the federal government won't be able to utilise the army and police in the election of 2023.
Those party members who wish to be spies and operate against the PDP because they weren't granted the ticket they wanted should be warned by Governor Wike.
The governor advised party members to remain steadfast because God is on their side and the PDP cannot lose the general election in Rivers State in 2023 because they have never experienced defeat.
Desmond Akawor, the PDP's state chairman, responded by stating that the party in the state had previously given governor Wike a vote of confidence for the way he had steered the state's affairs.
He praised the governor for consistently completing projects, defended the State's interests, and promised that they would continue to follow his guidance.
Tags
POLITICS