Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has stated that without good leadership in place, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won’t be able to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023.
This is as he maintained that it was absolutely necessary to change the party leadership headed by Prince Uche Secondus ahead of the 2023 general elections in the country.
Wike made the observation on Wednesday during the flag-off of Oyigbo-Okoloma Road in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The Governor observed that though Secondus is from his state, he and some others already knew it was better for him to go than put the chances of the PDP at risk and avoid an implosion of the party.
A statement signed by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, quoted the governor as saying, “Some of us rose and said we will not wait. It doesn’t matter if the person is anybody from Rivers State or not, what’s important for us is for the PDP to have good leadership to fight for the change of leadership in this country come 2023.”
On his part, the new National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu stated that the party will displace the APC at the center and other elections come 2023.
Ayu who was also present at the flag-off of the road project commended Wike and other PDP governors for working to deliver dividends of democracy to their people.
He also called out the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni whom he accused of neglecting his constitutional role as a Governor to focus on leading the APC.
“I’m not only proud of the governor of Rivers, but I’m also proud of PDP governors. Every PDP governor, with the resources base of the state, has been trying very hard to make sure that the people get the dividends of democracy.
The other party, the governors take power as a joke. How on earth can a governor leave his state and become a party chairman and live in Abuja without making any effort to develop his state? I believe such action does not take into recognition the people who labored to elect such a governor.
How can a governor of a state take N19bn and go and hide in a bank account, in a state where he has not paid salaries?”
“The Peoples Democratic Party is prepared to expand its base, not only in control of states, but in control of the National Assembly and ultimately also the return to the Villa in Abuja where we shall put a President of PDP extraction,” he said.
