The people of Rivers State will not be forced to elect Nyesom Wike as governor in 2023.
Chukwuemeka Woke, the governor’s chief of staff, made the statement in response to Senator Magnus Abe’s claim that Wike won’t choose his successor.
It was a sign, according to Woke, that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will win the 2023 governor’s race in Rivers.
He claimed that due to “the massive infrastructural transformation and good governance Rivers has enjoyed under the Wike administration,” PDP candidate Siminialayi Fubara will win the poll without a hitch.
“Distinguished Senator Magnus Abe was quoted to have said that Rivers people will elect our governor and not Wike. I agree in toto with distinguished Senator Magnus Abe because Wike will not impose any governor on Rivers people. It is the duty of the Rivers people to elect their governor.
“But, it is also important to state that in making that choice, there are some basic empirical factors that will be considered in making that choice. Just a few days ago, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the names of candidates of parties and their deputies.
“In Rivers State, 17 names. It means that out of the 18 registered political parties, it’s only one party, PRP, according to the publication made by the Independent National Electoral Commission, that had no candidate.
“What it means is that Rivers people have 17 persons to choose from who is going to govern them. And from the published names there, I have not seen anyone in that list that will match the calibre and capacity of the candidate and the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP.
“The standard bearer of the PDP, very intelligent, apt, very calculative, a well-knowntechnocrat and a seamless man.
“Let me assure you as a government, that the ugly incidence of 2019 general elections where you mobilised yourselves, prepared to vote for the candidate of your choice, but you were deprived because of the activities of some miscreants who collided with military officers to deprive you of participating in the electoral process, will never happen again in this local government area.
“We will do everything humanly possible to ensure that nobody will come and intimidate you in Abua/Odual local government, not even any military officer will come and intimidate you again. So, be firm and be ready to face the task ahead,” Woke stated.
