Although Wike claimed he does not support traditional leaders getting involved in politics, he asked them to back the PDP governorship candidate.
The governor said that rumors that he would switch to the APC were just rumors, and he insisted that he would not leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Wike said these things at the 114th meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers on Monday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Before Saturday’s presidential election, he told the council that he would only vote for a candidate who could bring the country together.
“I do not and will not belong to the APC.” But they’ve forced me to admit that they are our nation’s heroes. The governors came out to declare that the presidency should move to the south in order to preserve national unity. The governors of the APC stated that, given the current state of the nation, the presidency should move to the south in order to preserve national unity.
They might as well have replied, “No, it doesn’t matter.” Governors already know the number. Still, we can say that it ought to stay put. Nonetheless, they chose not to. They claimed that, given how we view this nation, we want everyone to come together.
“Let no one assert that because I control the populace, you will continue to rule.” You need peace to rule, as you cannot govern without it.
Commenting on the PDP problem, the governor claimed that Rivers State has supported PDP all the way from Dr. Peter Odili’s time as governor up until his government. As a result, he argued that it is utterly unacceptable for a portion of the country to prevent others from taking part in overseeing the affairs of the country.
“We all identify as Nigerians, and we want national unity.” We want Nigeria to flourish as a unified nation. One Nigeria has always been supported by Rivers State, and we will keep doing so. But in doing so, we act in accordance with our beliefs in equity, justice, and fairness. I shall vote in favor of the country’s unification as the governor of this state. Anything that brings Nigerians together would receive my vote.
“I won’t back any cause that will split Nigeria.” And thus the live-and-let-live principle became necessary. Things won’t go well if only one person survives. It’s about Nigeria, not the party. I am a Peoples Democratic Party supporter who, in fact, helped create the party after others fled.
He clarified that his support for national unity is the reason he has been one of the PDP’s leading voices in favor of inclusivity. He claimed that a strategically important state like Arkansas could not be made to serve as the nation’s supporting actor.
Governor Wike said though he does not encourage traditional rulers’ involvement in politics, he nevertheless urged them to support the PDP governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, whom he formally presented to the council, for the continuity of the developmental strides recorded by his administration since 2015.
“In a few months, I will no longer be a governor.” but primarily the former. No crisis will arise during my transition; it will be easy. Don’t make the error of going to vote for someone else. You want to misrepresent everything we have accomplished, which will cause our state to regress. Allow for continuity.
The governor proclaimed that in the more than seven years of his leadership, none of the state’s 23 local government areas could claim to have been overlooked in terms of project execution.
Governor Wike assured the traditional rulers that no project awarded by his administration, including the reconstruction and dualization of the Emohua/Abalama-Tema road as well as the Ahoada/Omoku road, would be abandoned.
The governor of Rivers State has promised that before he leaves office, he will give official cars to all of the state’s recognized traditional leaders.
The head of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Leaders, His Majesty King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Jeki V, Amanyanabo of Opobo, praised the governor for treating the council with respect since he took office.
After a representative meeting of the Council members, the monarch told the governor that the members had decided to back any candidate for governor that he chose who would keep the state’s development on track with his plans.
The monarch has asked political figures and their supporters to carry out their activities peacefully prior to the general election so that the people will still have a state to cherish after the polls.
They should keep in mind that no resident of this state is worth the blood for any political ambition. We must keep in mind that political parties are merely means for people to obtain political offices.
They are not long-lasting. Politicians are free to switch parties if conditions change. So, we urge our leaders to abstain from violence and to cease using our children as human shields. Let’s keep the peace that we have under this regime.
