Defection: Stop Intimidating PDP Members, Wike Cautions Federal Government

Wike Condemns The Employment Of Police Force In The Attempt To Impeach Ortom

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, has warned the Federal Government and the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, to desist from intimidating members of the Peoples Democratic Party and those who defected from APC to PDP.

Wike, who gave the warning when he congratulated the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed on their courage to defect to PDP despite the intimidation and harassment by the APC Federal Government, said such acts must stop for the sake of the nation’s democracy.

He stated that the technique of harassment and intimidation deployed by the APC led government helps strengthen the leadership of PDP across the country to stand firm against “tyranny, dictatorship and failed governance.”

The governor stated that the level of impunity under the APC Government surpassed the one during the military rule.

“I salute the Senate President Bukola Saraki and Kwara State Governor for being bold to say that they will not be intimidated. I welcome them to the PDP, which is being rebranded to take over the leadership of the country in 2019.

“More governors and senior politicians will still defect in the coming days. This regime of intimidation and harassment emboldens us. It strengthens us to stand against tyranny and impunity.

“It emboldens us to stand firm because of the interest of the people. We will resist any attempt to coerce us to cave in. Even under the military, there has not been this nature of impunity. We are determined and we have made up our minds to rescue Nigeria,” Wike stated.

He stated that what is happening in Benue State is a classical example of intimidation technique employed by the Federal Government.

According to him, at what time did Governor Sam Ortom and his aides commit crime and money laundering offences that EFCC has been drafted to intimidate the state government?

Wike condemned the use of security agencies in initiating an illegal impeachment process against Ortom after he defected.

“How can a government fight corruption outside the rule of law? You cannot fight corruption outside the rule of law. Refusal to obey court judgment is corruption itself,” he said.

He said that in 2014, serving PDP Governors and National Assembly members defected to the APC without intimidation.

He wondered why the APC Federal Government will resort to intimidation at this time, saying it will not save the sinking ship of the APC.

However ahead of the general election, Felix Obuah, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, has expressed optimism that Governor Wike would win his bid for second term.

Obuah in a statement in Port Harcourt said the cumulation of events in the State would guarantee victory for Governor Wike.

He noted that while other political parties in the State, especially the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) were busy bandying lies and unfounded propaganda against Governor Wike with the aim of deceiving the people, the governor responded with executing and commissioning more and more projects.

He said that the Governor had within three years of his successful first term, made phenomenal achievements in all sectors of the economy.

The PDP Chairman emphasised that the Governor has the right governance, he further stated that for the first time in the history of the State, a sitting Governor has successfully won the hearts of Rivers people across ethnic, religious, economic and socio-political divides.

“You could see that all ethnic groups have endorsed him for a second term; so have all the religious organizations, women and youths groups as well as traditional rulers and the non-indigenes including members of the opposition parties”, he said, adding that the development was a humble way of showing their appreciation for a job well done.

“Rivers people are happy with Governor Wike and that explains the increased clamour for him to run in 2019 so as to continue with the good job.

“The people are right because APC has demonstrated that it represents nothing but starvation, nepotism and wanton destruction of lives and properties. APC is not an option and has no good plans for Nigeria and Rivers State in particular“, Obuah stated.

He emphasized that APC lacked any moral justification to canvass for votes in Rivers State, following what he called the deliberate plans by the Federal Government to strangulate its economy.

“How could they expect votes in Rivers State when they have deliberately abandoned the Port Harcourt International Airport and seaport to rot away, knowing that these are important and veritable sources to boost the economy of the State”, he posited.