Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has listed major criteria for the preferred presidential candidate he will be supporting in the February 25 election.
the five aggrieved Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) popularly known as G5, and their allies have stated that they will not be supporting the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The G5 governors include Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Uguwanyi (Enugu). Speaking on Wednesday at a rally in Rumuji-Odegwe town to inaugurate the Rivers PDP campaign in Emohua Local Government Area, Wike said he and his allies will be backing a candidate who has integrity and sincerity. The Rivers governor, who did not give the name of his preferred candidate, said their choice must be a man who keeps his word and will not renege on agreements.
Wike also told party members in the state who were waiting for directives on the presidential election, to exercise patience, adding that he would soon conclude negotiation with his allies and inform them about his decision. Wike said: “Chief Awuse has said, ‘we are tired of waiting’. Indeed, we are tired of waiting. But don’t worry. You’ve been patient. Your being patient will not be taken for granted. The bell will soon ring. When you hear the bell, listen to where the bell is coming from and go and do what you have been told to do.
“I can assure you all these buccaneers, all these vampires, we will teach them a lesson. All those who said Rivers State is not important, we’ll tell them that Rivers State is important. If you play with us, we’ll play with you. If they play with us, we’ll play with them. Enough is enough. “So, let me apologise and plead with Ohna, Nne-New-Eli Emohua Local Government, it is almost time, endure. Very soon, you’ll hear and I can assure them, no going back.”
The governor said he had been waiting patiently for those who threatened to expel him from the PDP to carry out their threat. He said persons issuing such threats knew that PDP was already polarised, adding that taking such action against him and his allies would lead to the extinction of the party. Wike said the state had the muscles to withstand the buccaneers and vampires already selling their conscience for a pot of pottage.
