The internal crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party took a dangerous turn on Tuesday as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike alleged threat to his life.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Etche Campus of Rivers State University, Etche Local Government Area of the state, Wike said he can’t be killed, no matter the intimidation and the threats.
“If you are a Rivers man, you don’t need to be intimidated by anybody. We must take our rightful position. So, nobody should be worried. Intimidating me? Some people tell me, ‘Oh, be careful, they will kill you’. Kill who? Who told you, you will not die first?
“Those of you who are panicking, you don’t need to panic. I have God, what are you afraid of? They have chased us, they fought us but today we are standing very strong.”
Wike also used the opportunity to shed light on what went down during the 2019 general election and how some party bigwigs he didn’t name went into negotiation with President Muhammadu Buhari which assisted him in winning his re-election bid for a second term.
“When they were going to negotiate with Buhari in 2019, they negotiated with Buhari, that’s why Buhari won the election. They came to me and I said no negotiation; PDP must win. I said no,” Wike stated.
Flaunting the contributions of the state to the success of PDP, Wike said Rivers had contributed the most to the successes of the PDP since 1999 but that the state hasn’t gotten anything commensurate with her contribution from the party.
“Since 1999, I want Rivers people to always reflect on this, to ponder over it. Since 1999, we brought the highest votes for the People’s Democratic Party.
Since 1999, I challenge any state to say they brought more votes than Rivers State. Since 1999, I have challenged any state in terms of support for the PDP, which state has given more support than Rivers State. Since 1999, show me one federal project in Rivers State.
“If you want our votes, tell me what you will give to Rivers State. Nothing can be for dash again. Enough is enough of using Rivers State and thinking we are foolish people and we don’t know what to do with our money.
“Enough is enough of using Rivers people and saying oh they will bring the votes and when they bring the votes they will push us away.
“Tell us what you are going to do for the people of Rivers State. Not me; there is nothing any of them can do for me but I am interested in my state, nobody can buy me.”
He argued that what the state will get is more important to him than ministerial appointment, insisting nobody can entice him with appointment in 2023.
“I am not going to look for a position from anybody. Have I not been a minister before? So, what are you now going to entice me with as a person? Nothing. If you don’t tell me what the state will gain, then forget me.
“No amount of intimidation, no amount of threats. This government fought us but we survived. Most of them who are talking now, if this Federal Government had descended on them, they would have crumbled,” he said.
