Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State has made it clear that he and his people will destroy the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if the officials succumb to pressures to shift the venue of the party’s National Convention from Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike further warned that Rivers State People will teach the party a bitter lesson if it allows any presidential aspirant to scuttle the hosting of the Presidential Primary in Port Harcourt as agreed by all leaders of the party.
Speaking during a consultative visit by the Gombe State Governor and PDP Presidential Aspirant, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo at the Government House, Port Harcourt today, Wednesday, Governor Wike said that at the PDP’s national meeting, no Presidential aspirant opposed Port Harcourt as a venue.
He emphasized that any Presidential aspirant fighting Rivers State should forget about the support of the state, during and after the National Convention.
“Let me warn the party, if you dare, Rivers State will teach the party a lesson. Those days have passed when they took Rivers State for granted. Nobody can use and dump Rivers State.
“No Presidential Aspirant can use and dump Rivers State. We never lobbied for it, we never asked for it, but it will boost the economy of the state. People will make money.
“Those who are against Rivers people from making money to improve their businesses, will not get our support.“
The governor said that whether the National Convention holds in Jigawa or Adamawa, the winner preferred by the delegates will emerge.
“I don’t know why anyone who wants to be President, will be afraid of a venue. Then you are not prepared for the election.
“Nobody should dare Rivers State any longer. Enough is enough. PDP should know that we are not a punching bag. We are not a people you can use and push. We are not harlots. Whenever you want, you come. When you finish, you push us aside.
“We will retaliate at the appropriate time. When you go, tell your colleagues, the Presidential Aspirants. We were not interested, but having given it to us, you cannot insult us.”
The governor pointed out that there are persons who are not Presidential materials, but have bought forms simply because the Presidency is zoned to the North.
He wondered why a Presidential aspirant would declare that he is uncomfortable with Port Harcourt as a venue, but would love Rivers oil.
“You come here to deceive us about restructuring. Just that Rivers State is a venue, you fight it. Then, when you are there, what will happen? You think we are fools where you preach restructuring, then when you get the position, you abandon restructuring.”
Governor Wike said that at the appropriate time, he will reveal the names of Presidential aspirants working with the APC Federal Government to scuttle the Presidential Primary.
He added that no Presidential aspirant will use a few members of the Board of Trustees of PDP to scuttle the decision of the party to host the Presidential Primary in Port Harcourt.
The governor described Governor Dankwambo as eminently qualified to contest the position of President. He said Dankwambo will be considered when Rivers delegates meet to decide on who to support.
Earlier, the Gombe State Governor and PDP Presidential Aspirant, Ibrahim Dankwambo called on Rivers PDP delegates to support his aspiration as he has the capacity to set the country on the path of growth.
He said that the crisis of development being suffered by the country is a result of the leadership vacuum at the Federal level .
He said that he has the training, exposure and experience to lead the country in the right direction, even as he asked Nigerians not to make the error of 2015 when they chose promises ahead of performance.
The Presidential aspirant said that he will support whoever emerges as Presidential Candidate, should it turn out that party delegates vote in a different direction.
