••• DIRI INSIST PRESIDENCY SHOULD COME TO SOUTH
The Governor of Rivers State and Presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party, Nyesom Wike, on Friday berated presidential aspirants to continue with the legacies of President Muhammadu Buhari.
A statement by Mr Daniel Alabrah, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, quoted Wike as having made the comment he and his and his team visited him in Government House, Yenagoa, to formally inform Diri about his presidential bid on the platform of their party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said that the legacies the aspirants were promising to sustain were inimical to the welfare of Nigerians.
He prayed to God to forgive all du h aspirants who are making such promises to continue with the legacies of the President.
“The Rivers governor berated aspirants in APC that are promising to sustain the legacies of President Buhari, which he said were suffering, economic hardship and unbridled corruption.
“He noted that anyone promising to continue such legacies deserved God’s forgiveness.” The statement read in part.
Wike said the PDP should field a strong candidate who can wrest control of political power from the All Progressives Congress in 2023.
He told his host that he was running for the presidency because of his conviction that the country was in need of a firm and purposeful leadership this time required a firm leadership with the requisite capacity to turn around its fortunes for the benefit of all.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has assured his Rivers State counterpart, Chief Nyesom Wike, of his support in his presidential aspiration.
The Bayelsa helmsman said such support for Governor Wike could be taken for granted as Bayelsa and Rivers were one and with common interests.
Diri said that Wike already knew the challenges of people of the South-South and was adequately prepared to address them if he becomes Nigeria’s president.
Diri commended Wike’s developmental strides in Rivers and noted that the two states would remain united to protect their collective interests.
His words: “There is a thin line that exists between Bayelsa and Rivers states. For me, you know the challenges of the South-South people, especially that of Rivers and Bayelsa. You have worn the shoes and you know where it pinches.
“You are a homegrown politician and understands everything about us. As our son, as you are going out to battle, we are behind you.”
Senator Diri, who restated his position on zoning of the presidency, emphasised that for the sake of equity, justice and fairness, the presidency should revert back to the southern part of Nigeria.
He solicited the understanding and support of the North in the South’s quest to produce the President in 2023.
Diri further stated that Nigerians were looking up to the PDP to rescue the country, stressing that there was need to unite the party and focus on issue-based campaigns rather than engage in campaigns of calumny.
He also lamented the collapse of the economy and insecurity in the country, saying “everything has fallen from top to bottom and Nigerians are waiting for us as a party to reverse the situation.”