Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has pledged to offer the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, logistics support for campaigning in his state.
Wike stated this during the inauguration of roads in Emohua Local Government Area, LGA, of Rivers State on Monday.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governor made the promise just days after he made a similar pledge to Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP.
Wike went on to ask Kwankwaso to remember Rivers if he emerges the president next year.
He said, “You’re a man of integrity. Unfortunately, we are not in the same party, but God will help at the appropriate time.
“I said it to Peter Obi when he came, and I want to tell you now: If you are coming to campaign here, I’ll give you the logistics support for you to campaign.
“I am not afraid to say I will give you all the logistics support. You are selling yourself to Nigerians based on what you can do.
“We of integrity group will continue to support whatever is right — whoever will help this country. So, see Rivers state as your own. When you win too, remember us.”
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The Rivers State governor aimed a subtle, inferred dig at the Iyorchia Ayu, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who was a one-time senate president, accusing the party’s leadership of not doing enough to prevent Kwankwaso from leaving the party.
Wike added, “When you wanted to leave PDP, I came to your house in Abuja. I said, ‘Sir, don’t leave the party’. I pleaded with you; I came two times.
“Those who never meant well for this party, who want to take control where they never sowed — they want to reap where they never sowed — they said ‘no, leave Kwankwaso to go. Who is he? Let him go. After all, I was a senate president when he was a deputy speaker, house of reps’.
“I said ‘no; he is an asset to the party in Kano state. Kano is very important for our party. Therefore, whatever it takes, let’s keep him; let’s manage him’.
“They said ‘no, let him go.’ I said ‘the more, the merrier; we are an opposition party. We cannot continue to drive our people away. Whoever is angry, lets keep him’.”
Source: Cable