Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries will shock many Nigerians.
He added that any candidate that wins the presidential ticket should be assured that the members will rally around and make sure that he wins the 2023 presidential election.
The governor’s media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, disclosed this a statement signed on Saturday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
“People should watch, there will be shocked as far as PDP convention is concerned. People should watch what is going to happen. People like to underrate so many persons and it is not good in politics,” he said.
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Wike also reacted to the comment by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar where he expressed confidence that he will clinch the party ticket.
The governor said Atiku’s comment could amount to taking convention delegates for granted.
“I didn’t expect him to say that he will always take the ticket of the party. That is going too far and taking the delegates for granted,” he added.
Governor Wike said he is committed to doing anything to ensure PDP returns to power in 2023 and begin once again the process of rebuilding the nation after years of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
The Rivers State governor urged PDP members to resist making divisive utterances.
Speaking on the timetable just released by the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC) timetable over the weekend, Governor Wike expressed confidence that the National Executive Committee (NWC) of the PDP will ensure the party abides by the timetable.
“We are law abiding party. The party will soon meet, the NEC will meet and find the way forward on how we will put our house in order and make sure we religiously follow the timetable of INEC without violating any provision of the law and guidelines that INEC may have produced.”
Governor Wike commended PDP leadership in Plateau, Cross River and Ondo State for their victory in Saturday’s bye election.
He attributed the victory of the PDP in the Jos North/Bassa federal constituency in Plateau State to the recent decision of the former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FTC), Senator Jeremiah Useni to set aside their differences and work for the interest of the party.
Governor Wike also lauded the PDP for winning the Akpabuyo State Constituency bye-election in Cross River State.
He further commended the former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and other leaders of the party for the performance of the party in Saturday’s bye election. According to him, the prospects of the party in the 2023 general election remains bright.
