The Rivers State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday condemned the call for the withdrawal of its governorship candidate for 2015 general election, Mr Nyesom Wike, maintaining that it “amounts to day-dreaming, as such is not only nonsensical but also against democratic principles”, a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the State Chairman of the party, Jerry Needam said.
The Party said this while reacting to a statement credited to Chief Albert Horsfall that Mr Wike should be asked to step down or do so on his own within seven days.
The call, according to the PDP, “is laughable and not achievable because directing or not directing elected candidates to proceed or not to proceed with their election mandates is not the responsibility of the party or any of its leaders.
“The PDP is therefore calling on the good people of Kalabari and the general public to discountenance the senseless call by Chief Horsfall”, the statement added.
The Party had conducted the Governorship Primary in the State, in which accredited delegates from across the 23 LGAs of the State, participated and which produced Mr Nyesom Wike as the winner with a total of 1083 votes.
“This was a great and commendable feat that the Party made, and will continue to uphold the winner of the Primary, Barr. Wike, until the final victory is achieved in 2015 general elections.
“It is therefore, unthinkable and malicious of any one particularly, Chief Horsfall, who claims to be interested in the peace, security and development of Rivers State, to contemplate acting against the popular choice and judgement of the people.
“This latest action of Chief Horsfall however is not received by the Party as a bolt from the blue, as he has over the period, conducted himself as a paid agent of the All Progressives Congress, APC,”, the statement alleged.
Mr Needam further alleges that the “Party has on good authority that Amaechi’s N1billion to rehabilitate the ‘boys’ was the point of interest part of which was used by Chief Horsfall to rehabilitate himself.
“The Party is optimistic however, that Chief Horsfall does not have the capacity or ability to control or dictate any political, social or economic line of action to the Riverine People not to talk of the entire State.
“He also has no authority to speak for the Party or take any decision on behalf of the Party.
“Chief Horsfall’s claim of planning to substitute the Rivers State PDP Governorship flag-bearer is therefore, mere exposition of his short-sightedness, naivety, disconnect from the masses, and lack of relevance in the Kalabari region and the State.
“Chief Horsfall’s threat to mobilize Riverrine votes for APC to justify the money Amaechi gave to him is an empty threat. PDP will surely be victorious in the next elections in the State at all levels” he said.
The Elders and Leaders council in Rivers State has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to withdraw its governorship candidate, Mr Nyesom Wike, from the governorship race in Rivers State.