Wike Lists Major Criteria For Preferred Presidential candidate

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has listed major criteria for the preferred presidential candidate he will support in the February 25 election.

WITHIN NIGERIA reported that the five disgruntled governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), known colloquially as the G5, and their allies have stated that they will not support the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Uguwanyi are the G5 governors (Enugu).

Wike said at a rally in Rumuji-Odegwe town on Wednesday to launch the Rivers PDP campaign in Emohua Local Government Area that he and his allies will support a candidate with integrity and sincerity.

The Rivers governor, who did not name his preferred candidate, stated that their choice must be a man who keeps his word and does not break agreements.

Wike also urged party members in the state awaiting presidential election directives to be patient, adding that he would soon conclude negotiations with his allies and inform them of his decision.

Wike said:

Chief Awuse has said, ‘we are tired of waiting’. Indeed, we are tired of waiting. But don’t worry. You’ve been patient. Your being patient will not be taken for granted. The bell will soon ring. When you hear the bell, listen to where the bell is coming from and go and do what you have been told to do.

I can assure you all these buccaneers, all these vampires, we will teach them a lesson. All those who said Rivers State is not important, we’ll tell them that Rivers State is important. If you play with us, we’ll play with you. If they play with us, we’ll play with them. Enough is enough.

So, let me apologise and plead with Ohna, Nne-New-Eli Emohua Local Government, it is almost time, endure. Very soon, you’ll hear and I can assure them, no going back.

The governor said he had been waiting patiently for those threatening to expel him from the PDP to carry out their threat.

He said persons issuing such threats knew that PDP was already polarised, adding that taking such action against him and his allies would lead to the party’s extinction.

Wike said the state had the muscles to withstand the buccaneers and vampires already selling their conscience for a pot of pottage.