The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, says the presidential candidate and national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) originating from the North is a form of marginalisation of the South.
He noted that peace and security will remain elusive across Nigeria if the majority tribes, and those who think they have dominance over others, continue to marginalise them.
Wike asserted that for there to be an enduring future for Nigeria, all Nigerians must see themselves as equal stakeholders in the project called Nigeria.
According to a statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Kelvin Ebiri, the Rivers governor spoke on Tuesday at Government House in Port Harcourt when the management of New Telegraph Newspaper, led by the Managing Director and Editor- in-Chief, Mr. Ayodele Aminu presented its letter nominating him as the Political Icon of the Year 2022.
“The problem in this country today is not only as a result of the banditry or kidnapping, no. Part of the issue that has to do with security is the issue of marginalisation.
“And I continue to tell our people or those who believe that they are dominant, you need peace for you to preside over those who you think do not have the number. You need peace. If there is no peace, it will be difficult,” he said.
He observed that because the zoning principle has been jettisoned in the PDP, coupled with lack of seriousness to allow for inclusivity, convincing Nigerians to believe that the party can rescue the country is becoming a more difficult task.
The governor insisted that blackmail cannot diminish the demand for the national chairmanship position to be relinquished to the South.
According to him, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the national chairman of PDP, had promised to resign his position should the presidential candidate of the party emerge from the north.
“He made that commitment because he knows that it will not be equitable, there will be no fairness and justice if the presidential candidate comes from the same zone with him. And people are trivialising the issue. Why do you trivialise the issue?” Wike asked.
Speaking further, the Rivers governor reaffirmed that his allies were resolved to continue the demand for the return of the national chairmanship position to the South.
Wike maintained that Dr. Ayu is corrupt, saying he has not been able to account for the N11 billion realised from the party’s primary, and N100 million he allegedly got from a governor.
“If you like abuse us the way you want to abuse us, but we will stand by what we have said. If you say you will not relinquish that position to the South, no problems. Go ahead, but you can’t force us to do what we think is not right, we will not do it. So, this kind of man cannot, in all honesty, take this party to any victory. He cannot,” he said.
Wike berated Mr Dele Momodu, a former presidential aspirant of the PDP, whom he accused him of trivialising the issues affecting the party and seeking cheap recognition.
“All these professional praise singers and beggars who have nothing to offer, just to rally round the presidential candidate, looking for what they will eat, are beginning to abuse people. Those who even contested the primary without one vote are those who are talking. A presidential aspirant becoming a spokesperson to a presidential candidate,” he said.
Wike described Momodu as an “unstable character whose words cannot be taken seriously”, the statement read in part.
The governor also blamed the media as being part of the problem of Nigeria, saying they have lost the courage to speak truth to power and hold leaders accountable.
He wondered why the media was bold to speak against former president Goodluck Jonathan and have now lost sincerity of purpose to hold people in position, and those jostling for public offices, accountable of what they say and do.
In his speech, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of New Telegraph Newspaper, Mr. Ayodele Aminu said they had in 2017 awarded governor Wike the award as the governor of the year in infrastructure because of his contributions in Rivers and leadership in the PDP.
According to him, they have continued to follow his track records of performance, healthy politicking that has given true meaning to democratic governance in the country.
Mr. Aminu said they were delighted to have him as the winner of the award as the Political Icon of the Year 2022 because it fits no one else but him.
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