PDP Crisis: Don’t Expect Free High Vote From Rivers State In 2023 – Wike Tells Atiku

 

The Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has stated that the state has learnt its lesson from giving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the highest presidential votes during elections and ending up not being appreciated for its efforts.

Wike who expressed the concern at the commissioning of Etche Campus of Rivers State University in Etche Local Government Area, also urged those concerned for his life over his hardline in the crisis rocking the PDP not to be afraid, Vanguard reports.

The governor’s camp has been at loggerheads with camp of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, with one fo the key issues being the tussle over the removal of the party;s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

Stressing that Rivers PDP would not give its votes for free anymore, the Rivers governor declared, “When they (unnamed PDP bigwigs) were going to negotiate with Buhari in 2019, they negotiated with Buhari, that’s why Buhari won election. They came to me and I said no negotiation; PDP must win.

“Since 1999, I want Rivers people to always reflect on this, to ponder over it. Since 1999, we brought the highest votes for the Peoples Democratic Party. Since 1999, I challenge any state to say they brought more votes than Rivers State.”

“Since 1999, I challenge any state in terms of support for the PDP, which state has given much support than Rivers State. Since 1999, show me one federal project in Rivers State

“If you want our votes, tell me what do you give to Rivers State. Nothing can be for dash again. Enough is enough of using Rivers State and thinking we are foolish people and we don’t know what to do with our money. Enough is enough of using Rivers people and saying oh they will bring the votes and when they bring the votes, they will push us away.

“Tell us what you are going to do for the people of Rivers, not for me. There is nothing any of them can do for me. I am interested in my state, nobody can buy me. Have I not been a minister before? So, what are you now going to entice me with as a person? Nothing. If you don’t tell me what the state will gain, then forget me.”

On fears for his life, Wike boasted, “No amount of intimidation, no amount of threats. This government fought us but we survive. Most of them who are talking now, if this Federal Government had descended on them, they would have crumbled.

“If you are a Rivers man, you don’t need to be intimidated by anybody…We must take our rightful position. So, nobody should be worried. Intimidating me? Some people tell me, ‘Oh, be careful, they will kill you’. Kill who? Who told you, you will not die first?

“Those of you who are panicking, you don’t need to panic. I have God, what are you afraid of? They have chased us, they fought us but today we are standing very strong,” Wike said when he commissioned the Etche Campus of Rivers State University in the Etche Local Government Area of the state.”