The proposed visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Rivers State, has generated huge opposition from the Peoples Democratic Party in River State as the party has insisted that there is no reason for the president to come to the state.
According to State Public Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, there is no war or any form of insecurity in Rivers State that would warrant for such a visit.
Nwanosike maintained that, it would be better if President Buhari could apologize for the absence of any Federal Government project for about three years.
The PDP spokesman stated this on Friday in Port Harcourt while receiving hundreds of defectors from the All Progressives Congress to the PDP.
Nwanosike noted that Buhari’s visit is only aimed at settling the internal crisis rocking the APC in the state, adding that the APC needs serious attention.
He said, “We heard that President Muhammadu Buhari is visiting crises-rocked states and that he would visit Rivers State. We want to tell him that there is no crisis in Rivers State.
“The people of Rivers State are living happily in a peaceful state. We are not under any war. He should visit states in the North-East and Central. If he comes to the state, he is only coming to settle his party’s crisis.”
Earlier, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had revealed that the main purpose of President Buhari’s proposed visit might be aimed at reviving the fortunes of the APC that was dead in the state.
The governor, who said this while flagging off the reconstruction of Egbelu Street and construction of link roads in Rumuodara, Obio Akpor Local Government Area, said that the Federal Government had not informed him of the President’s visit and the reason behind his visit.
“I hear they say that the President is coming to our state. I have not been told the President is coming and why he is coming. He has the right to come to any state.
“Maybe the President is coming to make sure that he will improve the fortunes of the APC that is dead in Rivers State,” he added.
Reacting to the statement, the APC on Friday described the governor’s remarks as inciting, provoking, unacceptable and should be withdrawn.
The statement was signed by the state Chairman of the party, Dr. Davies Ikanya and circulated by his Media Consultant, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze.
It read, “The party warns Wike that the President’s visit is not the same as the visit of some northern governors that visited Port Harcourt in 2014 to sympathize with the then governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi over the wicked humiliation he suffered at the hands of Wike and his collaborators.”
The party further stated that the visit of Mr. President is to commiserate with the people of Omoku in ONELGA for the sad and unfortunate killings of their loved ones during the New Year massacre.
On the false allegation that President Buhari abandoned Rivers State since he assumed office, the party reiterated that the present Federal Government under the watchful eyes of President Buhari has not and will not abandon Rivers State.
