Despite the APC’s governors’ admirable stance on allocating the presidency to the South, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has reaffirmed that he will never join the party.
He stated that he is still an unrepentant member of the Peoples Democratic Party and called the rumors that he may switch to the APC “speculative” (PDP).
In Port Harcourt, the state capital, Wike delivered a speech during the 114th quarterly general meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Before Saturday’s presidential election, the governor informed the council that he would only cast his vote for the candidate who could ensure national unity.
I am not and will not be a member of the APC, he declared. But they’ve forced me to admit that they are our nation’s heroes. The governors came out to declare that the South should win the president in order to preserve national unity.
“The governors of the APC stated that given the current state of the nation, the presidency should go to the South in order to preserve national unity.
They might as well have replied, “No, it doesn’t matter. Governors already know the number. Still, we can state that it ought to stay put. Nonetheless, they chose not to. They claimed that given how we view this nation, we want everyone to come together.
“Let no one assert that because I control the populace, you will continue to rule. You need peace to rule, since you can’t govern without it.
Commenting about the PDP problem, the governor claimed that Rivers State had supported PDP from the time of Dr. Peter Odili, the former governor of the State, through his government.
Thus, he emphasized that it was utterly unacceptable for a portion of the country to bar other citizens from taking part in running the country’s affairs.
“We are all Nigerians, and we desire the unity of this nation,” added Wike. We want Nigeria to flourish as a unified nation. One Nigeria has always been supported by Rivers State, and we will keep doing so.
But in doing so, we adhere to our principles of equity, justice, and fairness. I shall vote in favor of the country’s unification as the governor of this State. Anything that brings Nigerians together would receive my vote.
“I won’t back any cause that will split Nigeria. And thus made the live and let live principle necessary. Things won’t go well if only one person survives.
It is about Nigeria, not the party. I am a Peoples Democratic Party supporter who, in fact, helped create the party after others fled.
He clarified that his support for national unity was the reason he had become one of the PDP’s leading advocates for inclusivity. He claimed that a strategically important State like Rivers could not be made to serve as the nation’s supporting actor.
Although Wike stated that he does not support traditional leaders being involved in politics, he urged them to support Sir Siminialayi Fubara, the PDP’s official governorship candidate, in order to continue the developmental advancements made by his administration since 2015.
“I’ll be former governor in a few months,” the governor declared (governor). But primarily the former. No crisis will arise during my transition; it will be easy.
“Don’t go and vote for someone else by mistake. You want to misrepresent what we have accomplished, which will cause our state to regress. Allow for continuity.
He asserted that none of the 23 local government districts in the State could claim that they had been neglected in terms of project implementation throughout the more than seven years of his administration.
Wike informed the traditional leaders that no project approved by his administration, including the dualization and reconstruction of the Ahoada/Omoku and Emohua/Abalama-Tema roads, will be canceled.
Before leaving office, the governor of Rivers State promised to provide official vehicles to all recognized traditional leaders.
His Majesty King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Jeki V, Amanyanabo of Opobo, the chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, praised the governor for treating the council with respect ever since he took office.
The monarch notified the governor that members of the Council had decided to support any candidate for governor of his choosing who would continue the state’s development according to his plans after a representative meeting of the Council members.
The traditional leader has asked political figures and their supporters to conduct their activities peacefully ahead of the general election so that the people will still have a State to cherish after the elections.
They should keep in mind that no resident of this State is worth the blood for any political ambition. We must keep in mind that political parties are merely means for people to obtain political offices.
They are not long-lasting. Politicians are free to switch parties if conditions change. So, we urge our leaders to abstain from violence and to cease using our children as human shields. Let this administration’s calm, which we are currently experiencing, continue, King Jaja commanded.
