Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has doubled down on his rejection of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and insists that the voters in the state will punish the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming election.
The Governor Wike’s statement comes as a result of the national leadership’s lack of support for the people of Rivers during the devastating floods in October and November of 2022.
During the flooding, houses were submerged, people were displaced, and their livelihoods were disrupted, yet the national leadership of the PDP failed to visit and support the communities in Rivers.
According to Governor Wike, the national leadership visited other flood-impacted communities in other states but neglected the people of Rivers, indicating that they do not like the state.
The Rivers State governor believes that the voters in Rivers will use their power at the polls to show their displeasure with the PDP’s national leadership.
During a campaign rally in Ahoada West, Governor Wike also addressed the rebuilding of a government secondary school in the area, Okarki, which had been destroyed by the floods. The governor assured the people that the project had already been fully funded and that a new contractor would be selected to complete the project before his term ends in May 2023.
He also urged the people of Ahoada West to be vigilant against ballot box snatching and to mobilize themselves at the polling stations to ensure the PDP wins all elections for governor, senate, house of representatives, and state house of assembly.
The PDP’s Rivers State governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, spoke at the rally as well and encouraged the people to collect their permanent voters cards (PVCs) from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) so that they could confidently vote for the PDP.
He noted that the party has a right to win the election based on the development projects already delivered in the area by the PDP-controlled state government.
The chairman of the PDP in Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, presented the party’s flags to candidates running for various positions and called on the people to ensure a bulk delivery of winning votes to the party.
The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, who is also running for the Rivers West Senatorial District, spoke on behalf of the candidates and emphasized the governor’s excellent performance in office and the state’s loyalty to the PDP. She promised that if elected, she would work to uphold the interests of the constituents and the state at large.
Before the rally, Governor Wike also paid a courtesy visit to the Ahoada West Local Government Traditional Rulers Council to secure royal blessings for Sir Siminialayi Fubara as the incoming governor of the state.
