You Can’t Disrespect Rivers, Yet Expect Our Votes – Wike To Atiku

Category:  Nigeria News

 

Governor Nyesom Wike has said those who failed to acknowledge the electoral importance of Rivers will not get the votes of the people of the state in the 2023 election.

Wike who spoke during the inauguration of the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), campaign council in Port Harcourt on Monday was reacting to the constitution of the Campaign Council of Atiku Abubakar his party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election.

The Rivers Governor said he was not consulted by the presidential candidate before he picked representatives of the state which he appointed into the Campaign Council.

“The presidential candidate entered Rivers State and picked those he wants to pick without the contribution of the governor. So, they said they don’t need me to campaign for them, they don’t need Rivers people to campaign for them. Will you force yourself on them?”

The governor further added, “I have never seen how people will disrespect a State like Rivers State and go and choose those who are enemies of the State, without the contribution from us. So, let’s campaign for those who have told us to campaign for them here in the State, the governorship candidate, the senatorial candidates and others.”

Governor Wike decried how Rivers State had been treated in the past despite the bulk votes delivered to the PDP since 1999. According to him, people cannot continue to demand for Rivers votes and yet be unwilling to accommodate its interests.

“Politics is a game of interest. If nobody accommodates the interest of Rivers State, then we have nothing to do with such people. If you say that you have no interest in Rivers State, Rivers State will not have your own interest. It is only those who like us that we will like.

“I have told people who care, Rivers State has voted PDP since 1999. Of this support we have given since 1999 till now, can you mention one thing that we have gotten in this State? Can you mention one road that we have gotten. All they care is to ask for Rivers State votes, after the votes, you push us aside. That will not happen again.”

To the Rivers PDP campaign council, Governor Wike told the members to have a different mindset because the strategies to be adopted for the 2023 election will not be like what they had known.

He stated that PDP in Rivers State had done well for the people, with such feat attested to by President Muhammadu Buhari, which makes it more difficult for any party to have a chance of winning the election in the State.