Rivers Will Teach PDP Lesson If Convention is Held Elsewhere, Wike Threatens

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that there would be consequences if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) succumbs to pressures from planted presidential aspirants to move the party’s National Convention away from Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

He further declared that the State would not support any desperate presidential aspirant who is sabotaging the economy of the state by fighting the hosting of the party’s presidential primary in Port Harcourt.

Wike warned that Rivers People would “teach the party a bitter lesson” if it allows planted desperate presidential aspirants 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 wednesday, Wike said at the PDP’s national meeting, no presidential aspirant opposed Port Harcourt as a venue.

He said any presidential aspirant fighting Rivers State should forget about the support of the state, during and after the National Convention.

He said: 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 would 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”, Wike warned.

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.

He said: “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”.

Wike said that at the appropriate time, he would reveal the names of presidential aspirants working with the APC Federal Government to scuttle the presidential primary.

He added that no 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 Dankwambo as eminently qualified to contest the position of President, adding that the governor would be considered when Rivers delegates meet to decide on who to support.

Earlier, 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 the crisis of development being suffered by the country is a result of the leadership vacuum at the federal level.

While saying that he has the training, exposure and experience to lead the country in the right direction, Dankwambo urged Nigerians not to make the error of 2015 when they chose promises ahead of performance.

The aspirant said he would support whoever emerges as presidential candidate, should it turn out that party delegates vote in a different direction.