Governor of River State, Nyesom Wike has said the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would give its presidential ticket to any candidate who will serve the interest of all Nigerians and not only the wealthy few in the country.
Wike said some desperate politicians were already scheming for a candidate who will not serve the interest of the many.
He made the assertion on Saturday, at a grand reception organised in his honour by the Kalabari ethnic nationality at the Abalama School field in Asari Toru Local Government Area of the state, where he was conferred a traditional title of Se-Ibidokubo of Kalabari land (He who does good things for Kalabari people) by the Amayanabo of Abonnema, King Gboko Desreal Bob-Manuel.
According to the governor, “No amount of gang-up can make PDP give somebody who will want to run an election for the interest of some big men, and not for all Nigerians; Anybody who wants to be a candidate of PDP must be a candidate for the interest of Nigerians.”
He reiterated that the stakeholders in the southern part of the country will soon make a declarative statement concerning the 2023 presidential election.
“The day the south will speak, Nigeria will shake. We believe in the unity of this country, but nobody can threaten us. Nobody should threaten us. We believe in the unity of Nigeria and the unity of Nigeria must continue.
“No amount of gang-up can make PDP give somebody who will want to run an election for the interest of some big men, and not for all Nigerians.
“Anybody who wants to be the candidate of PDP must be a candidate for the interest of Nigerians.”
Speaking further, the governor lampooned Rivers politicians serving in the President Buhari led-administration for their inability to attract federal government projects to the state.
He expressed displeasure in the inability of Kalabari people to love themselves and work in unity, while explaining that only a united people can stand up to make demands, urging them to put their house in order.
Also speaking, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Nimi Briggs, opined that the Kalabari people had contributed to the growth and development of Rivers State and Nigeria.
On his part, Dumo Lulu-Briggs said the Kalabari people were expecting Governor Wike to also ensure that Kalabari people are brought out from the political wilderness in 2023.
Present at the ceremony included elder statesmen, members of the Rivers state House of Assembly, traditional rulers among others.
