Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, a presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party and the governor of Rivers State, has urged members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to avoid making the error of handling the upcoming election to favor any one individual or group.
He also advised them to anticipate lawsuits and not to undermine them once they have been filed, but rather to work hard to resolve them or reconcile the parties involved.
On Tuesday, he stated this to members of the NWC at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja.
“As an opposition party, we cannot afford to allow people to say this election (convention) is not credible and transparent.
“I plead again, we must not make the mistakes of putting people in the convention committee who are supporting A, B or C. If we do that then some of us will challenge it.
“It is good you do what everybody will be happy with. You should do a better convention now.”
He declared himself as a true party person who should be encouraged to run for president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election.
Nigerians are waiting to see who the PDP will present as their flag bearer with the ability to deliver them and the country from the APC’s mismanagement, according to Governor Wike (APC).
“Today, terrorists and bandits have taken over the entire country. It is no longer Yobe and the Borno States alone. It is now in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“So, Nigerians are tired. But again, they are waiting to see who we are going to present, what is the track record of that person.”
He continued: “Not those that you will give the ticket to, then tomorrow, if they fail, you won’t see them again at the party. Or if you don’t give them the ticket, they will begin to work for the ruling party.
“I believe that I’m a true party person that should be encouraged to lead the party.”
Governor Wike insisted that he understood the APC’s strategy and that, if awarded the PDP ticket, he can confidently defeat them and win the presidential election in 2023.
His confidence, he claims, originates from his leadership in tackling Rivers State’s security concerns by providing necessary equipment and welfare, which provided as motivation for security personnel.
“Everybody in this country knows me, and my views on national issues. Nobody can say I don’t know whether Wike will do this or Wike will not do that.
“Everybody should know me very well that when I see issues, I said this is my view because am not going to run away from things going bad.
“So, as somebody at the helm of affairs, I called the security agencies in Rivers State. We discussed and they placed their demands with the assurance given. I verified the sources of the equipment that they want to buy to avoid buying technically faulty ones. We gave a timeline and offered incentives for personnel.
“It is on record that when security officer dies in the course of fighting crime we took care of their family so that they know they are not fighting in vain.”
Speaking further, Governor Wike said he is that kind of a leader who has and will continue to consult with the party, and seek its view on what government intends to do as a way of achieving proper integration.
“That is the way to achieve synergy between the party and the government, including the National Assembly members, members of the board of trustees and the national working committee.
“It is not where the government will roll out the programme without the party leadership being involved. That way the party will not be in a position to defend what the government is doing.”
The governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, who accompanied Governor Wike, said the 2023 presidential election will not be the usual presidential contestation the country has had in the past.
“It has become existential, it has become about the future of our children, and therefore everybody must throw in everything. The two most important requirement as we move forward is competence and acceptability.”
He further added: ” I see this possibility in one of your own (Wike). You elected him in 2015 to serve as Governor of Rivers State, and from the creeks of Rivers State he has emerged as a worthy example of what service should be, firm, straightforward, outspoken, stricker for rule of law, fearless, and yet carrying everybody along and performing and doing wonders in Rivers State.”
Governor Ikpeazu said if PDP is determined to rescue Nigeria from the brinks of collapse, then the party’s presidential ticket should be given to the Rivers state governor, who has been loyal to PDP since 1998.
“You come to loyalty and service to our party, Governor Wike has never left the PDP. He has stood by all previous presidential aspirants and candidates, following them with vigour and commitment, committing resources, intellect and leading from the front.”
The PDP national chairman, senator Iyorchia Ayu, who commended Governor Wike for his commitment to the party, assured him that the NWC will provide a level playing field for all the 17 aspirants, whom he maintained will do better than President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I want to assure you that there will be no foul play, no manipulation. We will certainly do better than what we did in October last year. We will hold a transparent convention. At that stage, we will try to be the INEC of the Peoples Democratic Party. We will not be partisan, we’ll try as much as possible to make sure that every member of the NWC works for the party.
“I want to also assure you that once you emerge as the candidate of the party, whoever emerges from that point on, we will be aggressively partisan because we want the party to win the election. We’ll do everything in our power by way of canvassing for votes of the Nigerian people to ensure that PDP wins the next election.”
Governor Wike later met with the Federal Capital Territory PDP delegates led by Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda in Abuja.
The governor unveiled his dream for a better, inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.
At the end of the meeting, Senator Aduda, who spoke on behalf of the delegates, assured the governor of their maximum support.
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