Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has dispelled speculations that he’s nursing the ambition of working for the presidency in 2023.
Wike additionally described as unlucky the silence of safety businesses in apprehending people who threaten to destroy the state.
The governor made the clarification when he appeared as a visitor on ARISE NEWS Channel, the sister broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers on the weekend.
The governor described speculations linking him to the 2023 presidential race as distractions.
He stated: “Proper now, I’m specializing in delivering the dividends of democracy to the folks of Rivers State.
“Recall that in 2018 and 2019 after I was supporting my good friend, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, it was speculated within the media that I used to be going to run with him. That was my first tenure and I’ve not even accomplished it they usually needed me to provide that away.
“To clear each hypothesis, let me state that I’m not going to run for the workplace of the president of Nigeria for now. I’m concentrating on growing Rivers State. I’m not a celebration to anyone saying that the issues in PDP is about 2023.
“That may be the issue in APC as a result of it’s the ruling social gathering. That is the final tenure of Mr. President and he’s going, so persons are hustling to take over from him inside his social gathering. PDP has nothing to do with that as a result of the way in which it’s now, we’re taking on from nothing.
“Now, I simply began my second tenure and also you’re speaking in regards to the presidency. When that enters anyone’s head then that particular person will be unable to supply the dividends of democracy to the folks. And that’s the drawback you see in APC as a result of all people is pondering of taking on from the president as an alternative of concentrating to do their work.
“They do not even know the minds of Nigerians. However due to the type of politics we’ve, folks really feel since Mr. President is leaving, they are not looking for his social gathering to lose out. How will somebody in an opposition social gathering start to ponder of working for presidency after I nonetheless have time to supply issues for my state?”
Commenting on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s rumoured aspiration to contest for the presidency once more, Wike stated it was a basic proper that no person may deny him.
However in keeping with him, it’s too early to find out who will fly the presidential flag of PDP as a result of the main target is on tips on how to get the social gathering extra organised so as to safe extra political seats.
“I’m not excited by who needs to run for now. I’m extra that PDP ought to change into extra organised. Allow us to get extra political seats. When the time comes, we’ll all sit down as a celebration to resolve on who will fly the flag.
“Once more, let me say, on whether or not I’ll assist former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, if he decides to contest for presidency as you have got requested. I’m a celebration particular person, so if he’s working on the platform of PDP for presidency, why will not I assist him? I can’t do anti-party at this stage to assist a non-PDP candidate,” he stated.
On zoning of PDP presidential ticket to the North, Wike stated the Nationwide Government Council (NEC) of the social gathering had not taken a choice on it.
“We are going to come collectively to resolve points as a result of we’re a household. Outsiders can’t do issues that may divide us. What we’re excited by now could be how we are able to stay united to take over energy from APC that has failed Nigeria.
“APC shouldn’t be allowed to proceed to maintain the nation in its current calamitous state. We wish to take over to maneuver Nigeria ahead,” he added.
Wike additionally flayed safety businesses over their inaction to the menace by a pro-Amaechi group that threatened to unleash violence on the state.
He said that these similar APC supporters had threatened and really attacked the state Excessive Courtroom due to inside social gathering squabbles and the safety businesses didn’t carry the perpetrators to justice.
Wike stated the pro-Amaechi supporters had been so daring as a result of their paymasters had assured them of safety cowl.
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“It is actually unlucky that some folks can now wish to destroy the state. They problem threats and the safety businesses can’t come out to say we won’t tolerate such menace in opposition to the peace and existence of the state. I cannot go to courtroom in opposition to anyone as a result of the menace is within the public area. It’s apparent, that they’ve the police, Division of State Safety, air drive, navy and the military.
“In any other case, how do you clarify the lengthy silence of the Nigeria safety businesses over such threats already trending on-line? For no matter causes, why will not they trouble in regards to the particular person making such threats due to an inside drawback inside APC?
“Bear in mind, for the primary time within the historical past of this nation when Chibuike Amaechi was governor, he shut down the courts for 2 years. Primarily based on that have, extra threats and assaults are seen.
“The minister is now coming to say that he’s not a person of violence which isn’t true. We’re not kids to be so deceived. Throughout the marketing campaign resulting in 2019 elections, he got here to the state chanting struggle songs and no person cautioned him,” he stated.
Supply: allafrica.com
