…Wike’s Ministerial Appointment

From Alice Onukwugha, Port Harcourt

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, has accused presidential candidate of the party in the last general elections and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, of moves to scuttle the appointment of former Governor of Rivers State, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, as minister.

The statement, signed by the former Spokesman, PDP Campaign Organisation in Rivers State, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, in Port Harcourt, yesterday, accused Atiku and some elements in the PDP national of holding meetings against Wike.

“Our attention has been drawn to attempts by highly placed Nigerians acting under the aegis of the PDP to denigrate the former governor of Rivers State, His Excellently, Barr Nyesom Wike, CON, over his nomination as minister designate.

“”We have learnt that these characters led by the defeated candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar have been holding meetings on how to deal with a patriot and prominent nationalist whose interest it is to protect the unity and stability of our dear country,” the statement read in part.

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The former PDP spokesman insisted that the interest of Nigeria is greater than that of an individual or a group of individuals and as such no amount of blackmail or intimidation will deter Wike from being part of the Tinibu executive cabinet. He warned Atiku and the PDP at the National level to avoid taking actions that will lead to the death of the party in the state as any action inimical to the appointment of Wike will be resisted.

“No amount of blackmail, intimidation, acts of reactionary provocations and threats will therefore deter the former Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike from responding to a call to service at a time of national emergency.

“As members of the PDP in Rivers State, we are standing absolutely behind our leader. An attack on Wike is an attack on the rest of us. And we wish to remind the PDP of the danger in taking precipitate steps that may indeed mark the beginning of the end of a party that we have all labored to build.

“Accordingly, we urge our resourceful, ebullient and indefatigable leader to disregard the hasty and irrational comments and reactions of those who are unashamed of their public display of hatred for the welfare of a nation that has given them just about everything, including enormous wealth, shelter and great influence.

“Finally, we thank President Bola Tinubu for putting Nigeria first in his bold attempt to gather Nigerians of different shades of opinion in order to build a strong democracy and grow a resilient economy that is sustainable,” the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has noted with sadness the decision of President Tinibu to go ahead and submit the name of Wike for screening despite facts before him.

Eze in a statement signed by himself and made available to newsmen yesterday, also stated that is will be a disservice to Nigerians if the Senate went ahead to clear the former governor.

He appealed to Tinubu to submit the SSS report on Wike to the Senate “to avoid imposing a fellow indicted by the European Union Observatory report, as a Minister at this crucial period Nigeria he is struggling to reclaim credibility within the international community.”