Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has advised members of the Peoples Democratic Party against making disparaging comments against governors elected on the platform of the party, warning that such comments will no longer be tolerated.
Governor Wike stated this on Thursday in reaction to comments by two chieftains of the party.
The first comment was one credited to High Chief Raymond Dokpesi which suggested that some PDP Governors recently travelled to Europe to decide who becomes the party’s vice presidential candidate.
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A second comment Wike reacted to was the rumour in some quarters that the PDP Governors are backing Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to dictate who becomes the party’s candidate in the forthcoming Osun State Governorship election.
Wike at media briefing in Port Harcourt described the comment credited to High Chief Raymond Dokpesi as unfortunate.
He said such an elder statesman should be making comments that will unite all components of the party and brighten it chances to rescue Nigeria in 2023.
Governor Wike says it’s surprising for people to think that governors will have to make such an expensive trip to make a decision that can be merely taken in any part of the country.
He said such comments alludes to the fact that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is infiltrating the opposition Poeples Democratic Party to destabilize its strategies for 2023.
“We are trying as much as we can to build the party back and see that in 2023 PDP takes over governance. But, I have some suspicion that people like Raymond Dokpesi are not really sincere to the Peoples Democratic Party and I think, I’m convinced that Raymond Dokpesi appears to be working for APC.
“I don’t understand where Raymond Dokpesi gets this information, this rumour that governors travelled to Europe to decide who will be the presidential candidate and vice-presidential candidate of PDP.
“I wonder why governors will travel to Europe to take such a decision.”
He warned that statements that have been credited to High Chief Dokpesi in recent times will not help his political fortune and that of his preferred candidates like the former Vice President Atiki Abubakar who is taught to be preparing to contest the party’s ticket for 2023 Presidential Election.
Governor Wike also advised Mr Atiku Abubakar, whom he described as strategic politician, not to allow Raymond Dokpesi “to be insulting Governors”.
Wike said the Governors supported Atiku in his previous presidential ambition and that they are willing to do same if he picks the party’s ticket again.
Governor Wike, however, warned that this latest allegation will be the last he will tolerate from High Chief Dokpesi.
“I’ve told Raymond Dokpesi that there is nothing wrong with you preaching for the candidature of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the Waziri of Adamawa, a very experienced man, an intelligent man, a strategist. But don’t destroy other people because of this.
“Because when you destroy them it will be difficult for PDP to win election in 2023,” Wike declared.
On the Osun Governorship election, Governor Wike says he and other PDP Governors will continue to insist on the right thing to be done, despite the criticisms against them.
Governor Wike said the right thing which they are insisting on, is for the party to consult the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde who is the only PDP Governor in the South-West on who becomes the party’s candidate in Osun State.
He vowed to support Governor Makinde to demand due recognition from his zone, even if he is hated for it.
