Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has said that the South-South state will no longer give the Peoples Democratic Party its votes for free.
In his speech at the inauguration of the new Etche campus of the Rivers State University in Etche LGA of the state on Tuesday September 6, Wike said the state will no longer offer votes without clarity on what it would gain for its support.
He said;
“At the appropriate time, we will make a decision on what to do. This is because since 1999 — I want Rivers people to reflect on this, ponder over it, and bring the highest votes to the PDP — I challenge any state to say they brought more votes for the PDP. I challenge any state to say, in terms of support, for the PDP.
“Which state has given more support than Rivers state? Is there anyone? Since 1999, show me one federal project in Rivers state. Is there anyone? So, if you want our votes, then tell me what you will give Rivers people. Our votes are not for dash anymore.”
Wike also recounted how he refused to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s election bid in 2019.
He added;
“This (federal) government fought us, but we survived it. Most of them who are talking now, if this federal government had descended on them, most of them would have crumbled.
“They were going to negotiate with Buhari in 2019; that was how Buhari won election. They came to me, I said no negotiation; PDP must win.”
Meanwhile, About 18 governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party in next year’s elections met with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Tuesday night, in a new attempt to resolve the impasse in the party.
Channels Television reported that the candidates arrived the private home of the Rivers governor in Port Harcourt, the state capital, at 8pm on Tuesday September 6, for a closed-door meeting that lasted till about 11pm.
The candidates in attendance include that of Kaduna, Plateau, Katsina, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Benue, Sokoto, Jigawa, Borneo and Yobe.
Others are, Kwara, Kanu, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers.
After the meeting, the Chairman of the PDP Governorship Candidates Forum and Governorship Candidate of Kaduna State, Isa Ashiru, told journalists that they are hopeful the discussion with Wike, which comes a few days after their meeting with the Presidential Candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, will go a long way in resolving the internal crisis.
He said their next line of action is to meet with the National Working Committee of the party.
