The details of the meeting between Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State have emerged.
www.tracknews.ng earlier reported that the Rivers governor met behind closed doors with the former governor of Plateau, Jonah Jang and a former governorship candidate of the party in 2019, Jeremiah Useni.
Wike, in a statement issued at the end of the meeting by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, charged the two leaders to ensure that the PDP reclaim the state from the All Progressives Congressive (APC) in 2023.
The Rivers governor stated that both leaders have agreed to work together in the interest of the PDP in the forthcoming elections in the state.
He said, “I can tell you that the two of them have agreed. They will meet on their own, compare notes and share. Then, we will later meet. By the grace of God, I can tell you that PDP will bounce back in Plateau state.”
Wike also challenged party stakeholders in the state to immediately resolve the internal crisis affecting the progress of the PDP and work together to ensure victory in the upcoming bye-election and governorship election.
The Rivers governor said his visit to Plateau was part of efforts to reclaim the state for the PDP in the next general election, accusing the APC of trying to cause disharmony among members of the opposition party.
He said: “I do know that there will be bye-election at the federal constituency and state constituency, and then again we are talking about the gubernatorial and national election next year. If the party is not united, no matter how bad APC is, there is no way we can win.
“And so, for me, personal sacrifices can be made if you’ve fought wars for this country, for the unity of Nigeria. Today, Nigeria is bleeding. Not only Nigeria is bleeding, Plateau too is bleeding. I have no apology to say that the people of Plateau state are waiting for you both to put the party together and then you will just take back Plateau state. Plateau state is a natural PDP state.
“There are disagreements everywhere. There are disagreements in the party both at the national level. So, it is not a question of ‘I am right’. It is not a question of ‘Jang is right; you are wrong, or you are right; Jang is wrong’. It is a question of, for whatever it takes, can we please, in the name of God, leave our personal interests and make our party move forward.
“APC is trying to penetrate our party to make sure that the leadership of the party at the national level is being distracted through one or two persons. But we are making sure that does not happen. While we are doing that, we also want to make sure that the branches are also united.
“If the party is united, then we are sure of coasting home in 2023. And not just the national election, also Plateau state, knowing fully well that Plateau is a PDP state but somehow we are no longer in power in Plateau state.”
