By Nanji Nandang
Governor Nyeson Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State, south-south Nigeria has expressed optimism that the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will take over the presidency in the 2023 general elections.
Wike stated this on Thursday, in Port Harcourt, at the welcoming party of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains who dumped their parties to join the PDP, noting that all the PDP governors are working hard to ensure the party regains the realm of power in 2023.
While welcoming the former APC Rivers State APC spokesperson, Ogbonna Nwuke and all the 23 local government chairmen of African Action Congress (AAC) to the party, Governor Wike said that Nigerians have since realised that the APC led government has failed in all sectors as he challenged the remnants of the APC to mention what Federal government has done for Rivers state in the last six years.
The Governor said “We are fighting hard and God willing, PDP will take over 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.”
Governor Wike, went further to explain that he was not surprised that Nwuke and others have decided to dump the APC, emphasising that those that decamped have merely come to the realisation that cannot continue to be misguided and listen to illusive stories, particularly of the APC.
“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” he said.
“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.” The Governor added.
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 the 29 May 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.”
In response, Ogbonna Nwuke, decried that they have been in the wilderness for the past six years.
“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” he said.
“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-Umuoye Road. 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” Nwuke added.
“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 80 percent of gas deposit south of River Niger and Your Excellency, you have already identified our need. the Etche need is access.”
In the same vein, the PDP chairman of Rivers State, 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, noting that having realised that the APC has nothing to offer the people of the State and Nigerians, they have decided to dump the party and all that it represents to join the PDP.
