Wike lists cardinal quality of preferred presidential candidate

• Published date: 19 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday gave a hint about his preferred presidential candidate for the February 25 poll.

Although he did not give his name, he described him as a man of integrity.

Wike said the preferred candidate he and his allies will support must be a keeper of his words, who will not renege on agreement.

The governor spoke at Rumuji-Odegwe town where the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a rally to inaugurate its campaign in Emohua Local Government Area.

Wike told a PDP stalwart, Ohna Sergeant Awuse, who earlier declared that party stalwarts in the state were waiting for directive on the presidential election, to exercise patience.

He said he would soon conclude negotiation with his allies and inform them about 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 who threatened to expel him from the PDP to carry out their threat.

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

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

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