Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has said it is absurd for the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to demarket Rivers state as unsafe, and yet want the people to vote for him on Saturday’s election.
The governor declared that Rivers electorate will cast their votes on February 25, 2023 for the candidate trusted to be a unifier and committed to the unity of Nigeria.
Speaking at Ogbakiri junction in Emohua local government area, venue of the flag-off of the reconstruction and dualisation of Emohua- Abalama-Tema junction road, Governor Wike said nothing could dissuade him and Rivers voters from the decision they had taken to that effect.
The Rivers state governor said the people summoned and addressed by presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in Abuja over the weekend were not true Rivers state citizens. He said if such people claim they are truly from the state, they should return home and be addressed by the presidential candidate as such.
Governor Wike described as unacceptable such summoning of people who have made themselves non-indigenes in Abuja. According to him, it is an insult to Rivers state and its people for anyone who is seeking their votes to summon them for a meeting outside of the state.
“You are addressing Rivers people in Abuja, is that not an insult? You cannot come to Rivers State and talk to us. You say Rivers State is not safe, but you want their vote. Rivers people will you allow that. Those who declared our state to be unsafe are those who are seeking for your vote. It is unfortunate. No right thinking Rivers person will take that insult.
“And I challenge all of you here to behave like true Rivers people to say nobody can buy you, nobody can summon you outside Rivers State. If you want to talk to us, come to Rivers state and talk to us. No amount of blackmail, no amount of intimidation can change our position. We want the unity of Nigeria,” he said.
Governor Wike stated that they are prepared for the Saturday’s election and Rivers electorate will teach those opposed to the stance of the state for equity, fairness and justice, that there are real owners of the state who reside and determine what should happen therein.
In his speech, chairman of Emohua LGA, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, noted that the reconstruction of the road will rekindle the age long traditional relationship between Kalabari and the Emohua people.
On his part, the chairman of Akuku-Toru, Rowland Sekibo, expressed the appreciation of Kalabari people to Governor Wike for deciding to intervene in reconstructing a federal road in the area that had been a nightmare.
