Wike says, “I can influence Rivers voters.”

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

Yesterday, Governor Nyesom Wike bragged about his ability to sway Rivers State voters.

The governor claimed that his performance as governor was sufficient to sway the electorate in favor of any candidate of his choosing. The governor’s supporters accused Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar of demonstrating apathy toward genuine reconciliation.

He referred to some legislators as “misguided elements” for misinterpreting his prior assertion that he was in charge of the state.

The governor gave a speech during the Port Harcourt opening of the dualized Ogbunubali-Eastern Bypass Road. Aliyu Wamakko, a former governor of Sokoto State, cut the tape.

Wike, who identified as a guy with a passion for service, asserted that an individual’s thinking rather than a political party determined how well they performed in their positions of authority.

The class of leaders, according to Wike, who use “economic difficulties as an excuse not to offer leadership and service to their people,” are not in his position.

He said: “Some individuals don’t grasp when someone says I am in command of this state because they went to school late. I never claimed to be in charge of the state’s elections.

But I’m confident that if I speak to my people, they will pay attention. I agree with those who claim I only have one vote. No, I cannot cast two votes. I’ll only cast one one. But the state will pay attention to me because of the services I provided to its citizens.

Leadership is not dependent on a party. Individuals play a role in leadership. A political party is merely a means of achieving an objective and showing your constituency that you are capable. I possess this ability to provide services to individuals.

“I will continue to perform even if you remove me from the PDP, the YPP, or any other party today. So, the reason I’m performing isn’t because I’m in PDP. It’s because I care so deeply about my people. It is as a result of my dedication to serving my community.

Wike claimed that his unwavering love, passion, and dedication to serving the people of Rivers State had sufficiently set him apart from other politicians.

“That is why there is a constant commitment to improve the state, affect change through the infrastructure revolution, and bring value to life,” he continued.

He claimed that “while others have used the economy as an excuse not to provide leadership and service to their people, I found a more satisfying approach to sustain the delivery of projects in Rivers State.”

The governor advised the populace to be grateful that they had a governor who is always prepared to protect the state, describing himself as “a consistent politician” who does not play dirty tricks.

Although they initially opposed the project, Wike commended the residents of Ogbunuabali for their cooperation while it was still in progress.

He announced the release of the N2 billion he had earlier promised the people and lifted the prohibition on youth activities in the neighborhood.

Wike’s leadership abilities were highlighted by Wamakko, who stated that all well-intentioned governments should fulfill their citizens’ desires and hopes.

Atiku is interested in a real ceasefire
Atiku has chosen to be on the path to losing the presidential race next year, according to Wike’s supporters, who claimed yesterday.

They cautioned that the reported move by the former vice-president to establish a distinct PDP structure prior to the election indicated that he was not interested in bringing party members together.

They were responding to a televised appearance in which Senator Lee Meeba, a lawmaker who supported Atiku and served in the National Assembly twice, called Wike a tyrant.

Meeba claimed the governor threatened to prevent them from supporting Atiku in the state without his consent.

The former legislator continued by saying that Wike was upset with them for seeing Atiku in Abuja and promising to secure Rivers’ support for a PDP candidate in 2023.

The governor’s supporters, however, claimed that Atiku’s reported decision to utilize “spent forces and Abuja-based politicians” to battle Wike demonstrated his lack of commitment in sincere reconciliation.

The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Chidi Lloyd, and a former Commissioner for Information, Ogbonna Nwuke, are the loyalists who spoke with The Nation.

Atiku’s body language made it clear that he wasn’t cut out to be president, according to Lloyd. I’ll be honest and tell you that I’m a Catholic. I’ve never seen a man push delectable food down after receiving it.

Nobody cedes their position to intrusions. After leaving the All Progressives Congress, Atiku rejoined the PDP, ran in the 2019 election, lost, and then traveled to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. He had a lengthy vacation up until election season. He returned.

The likes of Lee are rushing to him in Abuja rather than trying to find ways to gather everyone around a table. Is that the location of the election?

Because the party’s leaders were firmly in support of Wike, Lloyd claimed that the purported conspiracy by Atiku and others who supported him to instigate a conflict in the Rivers PDP was a fruitless endeavor.

Nwuke added that Atiku was stoking division within the Rivers PDP in order to cast shadows.

He said: “Dividing the Rivers PDP is not conceivable. Due to its historic nature, it cannot be realized. It has been challenging for those located in Abuja to seize control of the political system ever since the NPN (National Party of Nigeria) era.

“The political alliance in Abuja has never really triumphed at home. In 2023, the home front will triumph over them because it is always unified and capable of doing so.

“We want to see Atiku whether he believes that divide and conquer will produce outcomes. We want to watch him spend the money necessary to make that happen and win the votes he wants to win.

“I ask the gods to refrain from destroying Atiku as a result of the manner he is acting. He presents himself as having won the election.

However, all he has is a ticket. Being on a ticket is not the same as winning an election. I hope he understands that after purchasing a party ticket, it is his duty to gather everyone together. It won’t succeed if he isn’t serious in his intentions.

“Atiku is not demonstrating any interest in rapprochement by his conduct. He will bear the repercussions of his deeds on his head.