Ahead of its national convention in Abuja on Saturday to elect new
set of leaders for the party, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike,
said that he is strongly behind Uche Secondus to emerge as the acting
national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement by his special assistant on electronic media,
Governor Wike said Secondus from Rivers who is one of nine aspirants
seeking to lead the PDP, is the only candidate from a state governed by
the PDP. That claim is, however, false as at least one other candidate,
Tunde Adeniran, is from a PDP-governed state, Ekiti.
According to Premium Times, less than 24hrs to the convention, Gov.
Wike said he believes Secondus, a former acting chairman of the party,
is the best candidate to lead the PDP in view of his experience and
track record.
The Rivers governor said the other candidates have no political
presence in their respective states to drive the revival of the party.
“I have analysed the scenario. I have analysed the delegates
spread of each state. There is no way that Prince Uche Secondus will not
coast to victory by over 90 per cent of delegates votes.
“I am talking because I am in the campaign team of Prince Uche Secondus and I am a delegate,” the governor said.
Governor Wike also said he resigned his membership of the National
Convention Planning Committee because he wants to focus on the campaign
for the emergence of Mr. Secondus as national chairman.
“Secondus has never said anything negative against any other candidate. He has remained focused on his campaign,” he said.
He said Secondus has no existing problems with the EFCC contrary to petitions against him.
“Somebody who believes that he will win, will not resort to writing
petitions before the convention. All reports in the media against
Secondus are planted and false.”
While saying there is no zone that should be taken for granted, Wike said that the South-south remains the bedrock of the PDP.
“National Chairmanship in the South-west will not change the
fortunes of the PDP. Even when the President hailed from the South-west,
the fortunes of the party did not improve in terms of votes in that
zone. The zone is prone to incessant crises as can be seen. Any
candidate who emerges from the South-west will lead to further crisis
from other factions from that zone.”
“Only a candidate from outside the South-west such as Prince
Uche Secondus can unite the zone. He has the reach and capacity to unite
all factions in the South-west. He is the person suited for the party
at this time
“After tomorrow’s convention, PDP will come out stronger. It
will come out refreshed and re-positioned for the good of the country.”