Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has boasted that only a Governor elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will succeed him in 2023.
Wike further said all the incumbent PDP Governors were working in unison to ensure the victory of the party at the forthcoming presidential election in 2023.
The Governor said he would complete all his projects in Rivers before handing over the leadership of the state to his successor.
He said: “No one project awarded by this administration will remain abandoned before we leave on the 29 May 2023.
“And then, another PDP government will come and take over from us. Let me assure you, God has already sealed it.
“Let nobody bother himself, PDP will take over Rivers State again because it is very obvious. Why will PDP take over? We will take over because we have made promises to you and we have fulfilled the promises.”
Wike spoke at the weekend n Port Harcourt while addressing crowd of PDP members, who gathered to receive APC defectors.
Wike said the people of Rivers had seen that the PDP meant well for them and decided to put their fate in the hands of Almighty God first, and then the PDP.
The Governor said that PDP in the State had never been owned by an individual unlike the Rivers APC.
He assured the defectors and others willing to join the PDP that they would take active part in any decision to pick his successor.
“Everybody must participate, and then we will take decision. It can be those who are coming now, you never can tell.
“Nobody can say because you came in yesterday, or because you came in today, you are not entitled. Everybody is entitled as far as PDP is concern,” he said.
On the PDP winning at the centre, he said: “We are fighting hard and God willing, PDP will takeover Nigeria in 2023.
” It is not a question of wishful thinking. It is a question of being committed and we are going to do it.
“All the Governors of (PDP) have agreed, we will do it. PDP will never be divided. All the people who are thinking that PDP will be divided, they have all failed.
“All those who were trying to sabotage Rivers state, they have all been knocked out.”
Former APC bigwigs said they dumped their party for the PDP because of unfulfilled promises.
The immediate past Rivers State APC Spokesperson, Ogbonna Nwuke, who was among the defectors, said in the last six years they had been in the wilderness.
He said: “We were promised change but I will say we did not find change in Etche. All politics is local and I couldn’t stand by, do the fighting and watch those who superintended over the affairs of the APC act in a manner that appeared callous. Accordingly, we have found our way out of wilderness. We have stumbled into light and we have found development partner and that development partner is the PDP.
“We have seen the good road that you built. First, you gave us the Igwuruta-Chokocho dual carriage road. Then you gave us the Udofor-Akpoku-Umuoye Road. And the other day you returned and then you gave us the announcement of the Chokocho-Igbodo Road. Your Excellency, there is jubilation in Etche. I am jubilant myself.
“I am excited. And to tell you the candid truth, there could have been no better news. Today your Excellency, I have come back home . Honestly, there can be nothing better than home. Etche has 205 oil wells, Etche has over 80 percent of gas deposit south of River Niger and Your Excellency, you have already identified our need. the Etche need is access.”
Another defector and former member of the House of Representatives, Emma Deeyah, said they were endeared to Wike because of his bold and courageous leadership in the State.
