The governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has hinted that discussions with his political allies about which candidate to endorse in the presidential election slated for February 25 are close to being finished.
Wike argued that when it comes to the general elections scheduled for February 25 and March 11, 2023, the residents of the state are aware of their political allegiances and would not be treated unfairly.
Governor Wike spoke during the Government Campaign Flag-off Rally of the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) at St. Martin’s Anglican Church, Omagwa Town, Ikwerre Local Government Area on Tuesday.
The governor explained that the people of Rivers had received the proper voter education and instructions to support PDP candidates for governor, senate, house of representatives, and state house of assembly.
The beauty of the upcoming election, he said, is that it will not allow for any electoral meddling or intimidation by security officials.
Wike pleaded with Rivers people to ensure that all of their votes must be cast in favor of PDP candidates in the state.
“This time, no army will do anything. No Fakorode will do any thing. No police will do anything. Now, it is one man, one vote. All the votes must be in one basket from the governorship to the House of Assembly. The other one we are concluding. When we conclude, you will be told.
“Nobody should intimidate you. Nobody should tell you any story. We are free-born of this country. We are not second-class citizens. Nobody can tell us anything. I dare them. Let anybody do any funny thing, We’ll tell them we are from Rivers State.”
He emphasised that it will be a case of one man, one vote and no blackmail can dissuade or thwart the collective resolve of the people on who to support with their votes.
The governor, who urged the people to be calm, maintained that when the final decision of the presidential candidate the state will support will be taken, Rivers electorate will be notified.
“As we finish from here now, you’ll go home and start working before the appropriate time when we will ring the bell. When you hear the bell being rang, know that the decision has been taken.”
Governor Wike explained that governance is not about storytelling but in performance that translates into making living easier for the people and seeing them happy.
He said the successes of his administration is what the consolidation team, to be headed by the PDP governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, will consolidate and therefore, should be elected to continue from where he will stop.
That is why, Governor Wike insisted that the forthcoming election will be a fight to finish so that those who have now placed themselves as enemies of the State, to sell it for pottage, will be taught a lesson.
Governor Wike told the people of Ikwerre Local Government that in 2015 and 2019 he came to seek their support, made promises, and have fulfilled all of them with development projects evenly distributed in all 13 political wards.
The governor said the members of the consolidation team he is asking the people to vote into power are men and women with the capacity to continue the tenets of good governance and will certainly not disappoint them.
Governor Wike disclosed that the Rivers State government has awarded the contract for the construction of the Ubima-Ozuoha road.
In his speech, Rivers State PDP governorship candidate, Siminialayi Fubara said he is part of the administration of Governor Wike that has provided good governance and driven unequal infrastructural development agenda.
Fubara pointed out that a vote for him will further be an expression of confidence in what the governor has done, which he will consolidate when elected.
He assured of committing to good governance, and provide services to make life more better for the citizenry, including delivering more roads, making heath facilities offer quality healthcare services and improved security in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
“The few roads that are remaining in Ikwerre local government, we will do it. Your health services we will improve on them and upgrade them. On security, you know those days when they kidnap in Elele, they will enter Ubima forest. Today, we have been able to smoke those criminals out and you have peace.”
