Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State says he has no intention to contest for president in the 2023 presidential election.
The governor clarified the air on his rumoured presidential ambition during an interview on Arise Television.
Wike described the speculations about his perceived presidential ambition as distractions.
He said, “Right now, I am focusing on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.”
He recalled at the build-up for the 2019 election, people speculated that he wanted to be running mate to the Sokoto Governor, Aminu Tambuwal because he supported his presidential aspirations.
According to him: “In 2018 to 2019 when I was supporting my friend, it was speculated I was going to run with Tambuwal.
That was my first term. I have not finished my first term and you are telling me to give away my second tenure to run for what I am not sure of.
“When you take a position on certain issues, people will continue to speculate. I am not going to run for the President of Nigeria for now.
I am concentrating in developing Rivers State. I am not a party to anybody who says the problem of PDP is 2023.
“That can be a problem in APC because it is a ruling party.
The president is going and so people will want to take over the seat of the President. In PDP, who are you taking over from. You are taking over from nothing.
“We just took over a year ago. And then you are talking about Presidency.
When that enters your head, you won’t be able to provide the dividends of democracy to your people and that is the problem you see in APC.
Everybody thinks of taking over from the President. So instead of you to concentrate you are thinking of taking over.
“You don’t even know the minds Nigeria. The point is that being a ruling party and with Mr. President being there he won’t allow his party to lose out.
So, how can I begin to contemplate running for Presidency when I know I still have time to provide for my state. It is a distraction”.
Wike’s clarification came barely 24 hours after the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a statement saying he has not decided on the 2023 presidential election.
