The Rivers state governor, Nyesome Wike, Monday described Nigeria as a country that is bleeding.
Wike who spoke in Kaduna called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) to unite and take over power in 2023.
Wike’s host and former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, told Wike and his entourage that the people of Nigeria would be disappointed in the PDP if they don’t unite and take over power.
He said going by election results in recent times where the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC) had lost many units at grassroot levels, Nigerians were now tired and were waiting for the PDP to take over power.
Wike told the mammoth crowd that besieged Makarfi ‘s Kaduna residence to see him; that he was not on a political trip but to see Senator Makarfi who was overseas on health grounds.
According to him ,Makarfi was important and held in esteem by PDP members because of his leadership qualities and the gallantry he displayed to save the party ” when Ali Modu Sheriff was being used to break the PDP.”
He explained that party members should be concerned about the unity and sustainability of the party, and be united ahead of the forthcoming campaign to wrestle power from the ruling APC.
Moreso, Nyesom Wike have said that Nigeria will shake when southern leaders declare their decision on the 2023 presidency.
Wike also said the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will not give its presidential ticket to any candidate who will serve only the interest of the wealthy few in Nigeria, adding that desperate politicians who will not serve the interest of many, rather the interest of few, are already scheming to be candidate.
The governor spoke at a grand reception organised in his honour by the people of Kalabari at the Abalama School field in Asari Toru Local Government Area, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri.
He was honoure as Se- Ibidokubo of Kalabari land (He who does good things for Kalabari people). The conferment was performed by the Amayanabo of Abonnema, King Gboko Desreal Bob-manuel.
Wike stressed that southern Nigeria stakeholders will soon make a declarative statement concerning 2023 presidential election.
Wike said: “The day the South will speak, Nigeria will shake. We believe in the unity of this country, but nobody can threaten us. Nobody should threaten us. We believe in the unity of Nigeria and unity of Nigeria must continue.”
The governor said no amount of gang-up will make the PDP compromise its stand on integrity.
His words: “No amount of gang-up can make PDP to give somebody who will want to run election for the interest of some big men, and not for all Nigerians.
“Anybody who wants to be candidate of PDP must be candidate for the interest of Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Rivers State Elders Forum, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, said the grand reception was significant for two reasons: critical importance to them as a people and also because of the unity of purpose engendered among them under Wike administration.
He said it was that kind of reception organised for prominent sons and friends who have impacted the Kalabari people.
