- Called on Nigerians to give unalloyed loyalty and support to the governor of Rivers state and to Mr President
A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, and members of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PDP-PCC) for the 2023 general elections in Rivers State on Thursday declared loyalty and support for President Bola Tinubu and the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Former Minister of Transport and Director-General, PDP-PCC, Rivers State, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, made the declaration during a news briefing in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
He was flanked by Secondus; former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Austin Opara; former governor, Celestine Omehia; former deputy governor, Tele Ikuru; Senator Lee Maeba; former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Gabriel Pidomson, among others.
The council had supported the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 elections.
Addressing the press on Thursday, they expressed their displeasure at the direction of events unfolding politically in the state and asked the President to caution ex-governor Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“The elections are over and the Supreme Court has ruled on the finality of the contest and pronounced His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the duly elected President of Nigeria. We stand by that verdict,” Sekibo said on behalf of the leaders.
“As law-abiding citizens and responsible leaders of our party in Rivers State, we recognise the elected President of our country and pledge our full support for the success of his administration for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“In effect, we subscribe to the President’s efforts at strengthening our economy, fighting insecurity, and promoting peace and harmony in our dear country Nigeria,” he said.
They also declared support for Governor Fubara, saying, “As indigenes of Rivers State, we give our dear governor our total loyalty and support for the progress of our state, and through him, the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As we believe that working together the good and interest of Rivers state will be protected.
“It is for this reason that we call on all our supporters to give unalloyed loyalty and support to the governor of Rivers state and to Mr President.
“The peace of our state has been disturbed by the foolish actions of one selfish man who believes that more than seven million Rivers people are his slaves for electing him as their governor for eight years.
“Unfortunately, he has constantly abused the privilege that God bestowed upon him through the votes of the people by acting against the interest of the state.
“Lately, he has resorted to insulting our revered leader, Dr Peter Odili, and his wife, Justice Mary Odili because they refused to support his failed attempt to unjustifiably impeach the duly elected governor of Rivers State.
“We have nothing against Mr President compensating Mr Nyesom Wike with the office of FCT Minister. However, we owe the President a duty to explain some facts on the character and machinations of his appointee.”