Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has charged all candidates running in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) election in Cross River State to remain strong, firm, and not panic over political developments in the party at the national level as well as in their state, where the PDP is now an opposition party. On Wednesday, Governor Wike hosted all of the PDP candidates in Cross River State at the Rivers State Government House.
The Cross River State PDP delegation to Rivers State was led by Governorship candidate, Senator Sandy Onor, a seating Senator from Cross River Central district, and included Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe of the northern senatorial district, as well as all other National Assembly candidates of the party; State Assembly candidates and the party’s State leadership, led by State Chairman Vena Ikem, and local government chapter chairmen.
The purpose of the meeting is to express solidarity with Governor Wike regarding his role in the party’s current national crisis. Governor Wike thanked the Cross River PDP members for standing firm in his address to his guests. “Remain firm and powerful. I’ve arrived. Now I’m getting into politics. How many of them came to your aid in your hour of need? None. They say we’re nothing, but tell them we’re something. They’ll notice something soon. “Don’t be alarmed,” he advised.
According to multiple reports, Wike promised to donate 25 buses for campaigns and billions of naira to the PDP in Cross River State during the event. “We are here as a delegation from Cross River state: complete in our numbers,” Onor said earlier. We came to thank you for being a great friend and leader to us when Gov. Ben Ayade eloped with our mandate to the APC. You promised us that you would not abandon us. We will stand by you if you stand by us. That is what you witnessed today.”
“Let me say this, and I’d like to be quoted: ‘Nobody in the PDP’s recent history has given more for this party to remain the same!” Nobody has made a greater contribution. Nobody has made more sacrifices than Governor Wike. So, whenever we see a clear attempt to minimize the maximum, we stand up and declare that this is not possible. Gov. Wike is not requesting anything personal. He is looking for justice within the party.”
Also speaking, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe of the northern senatorial district revealed that it took Gov. Wike’s intervention for him to become a senator. Mr. Vena Ikem Esq., State Chairman of the PDP in Cross River, said emphatically, “we appreciate you from the bottom of our hearts.” I can only imagine what you have done for us since Governor Ayade handed over the PDP mandate to the APC. I’d like to thank Senator Sandy Onor for directing you to us. You’ve been more to us than a Governor.”
