Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says the electorate’s votes rather than rumour peddlers will determine the victory of Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubarkar, in the 2023 general elections.
The Rivers governor said the support by some politicians to Atiku would be of no consequence if they fail to mobilise grassroots voters to secure victory for the PDP.
Wike stated this on Tuesday during the inauguration of the new Government VIP Lounge at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, in Ikwerre Local Government Area, built by the state government .
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kevin Ebiri, the governor described as unfortunate a situation whereby some politicians based in Abuja derived pleasure insinuating something against him to curry Atiku’s favour.
Wike said, “We are busy campaigning with our projects on how our party will win election in the state. Other people are busy in Abuja carrying rumours and gossip. We are busy here (in Rivers) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We’ll start Monday again, flagging off projects, commissioning projects that will sell our party.
“Everyday in the newspapers, Wike did this, Wike did that, then they will call the candidate. You see what I said about Wike today. Rent seekers. No job. Instead of you to do something that will make your party to win 2023 elections, you’re only busy everyday (saying) Wike said this. Where you heard from Wike I do not know. Maybe in your dream.
“You want to support the candidate, you’re not at home, you’re in Abuja. Come home and campaign and work for the party. Stop this Abuja politics of carrying rumours to the candidate.”
The Rivers governor said any party that wants to win elections “cannot be on their own be causing problem for themselves.”
Wike said his administration had continued to inaugurate projects that serve as evidence of fulfilled electoral promises.
He said, “We have said that whatever promise we have made, we are going to fulfil them before we leave office on May 29th, 2023.
“And let me say, only one person can be a minister from the state. I would not be a minister. I am not a liability. Rivers State is an asset. If you don’t want to win election, it is your business.
“I am not running for election. He who wears the shoe knows where it pinches. So, allow Rivers State to continue to do what they are doing by using our projects to campaign to our people.”
Governor Wike explained that though the Port Harcourt International Airport is owned by the Federal Government, his administration decided to build the VIP lounge in order to offer Rivers people the best.
He assured that the state government would maintain the building so that it can serve the people for a long time.