Nyesom Wike Declares Intention To Succeed Buhari In 2023

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has declared his intention to contest in the 2023 presidential election.

He disclosed this in Markurdi on Sunday during talks with Governor Samuel Ortom and some delegates of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Naija News reports.

Wike, who is popularly called ‘national governor’ by some PDP members, said he has the courage and resources to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power at the ballot box.

According to a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, wike said he would tackle the festering insecurity in the country and engender rule of law.

He said: “Let me thank the people of Benue for receiving me to come and talk to them. It is obvious that I am going to run for the presidency of this country. And I am declaring for the first time in Benue state because of my special relationship with them.

“People are suspecting, but let it be known today that I am announcing it in Benue state because I have a special relationship with this state.”

Revealing that he would do things differently, the governor said service chiefs and heads of other security agencies would be provided the requisite equipment and incentives to discharge their constitutional obligations.

“Today, you can’t talk about security in this country and you must understand that without security you can’t talk about governance,” he said.

“One first thing that anybody who takes oath of office sworn to is that you must protect life and property. If you can’t protect life and property then you can’t talk about governance. So the major thing is that our people should be alive.”

On the recent terrorists attack on Kaduna airport, Wike said Nigerians urgently needs a leader who could address the growing insecurity in the country.

He said: “Disregard for the rule of law by the present federal government has been one of the bane of direct foreign investment in the country.

“Nobody can bring investment in this country because there is no respect for the rule of law . Nobody obeys court order. Who will come and invest his money when court gives its judgement and it will not be obeyed. So, I am going to run for election and victory will be ours.”

He slammed some PDP presidential aspirants for abandoning the party in 2015, accusing them of being responsible for PDP.

“Those who want to be president now were the problems of the party in 2015. They ran away when the party needed them most. But I have stood and worked for this party.

“I have nowhere to run to because I take it personal that the party should not die. And I challenge anyone in a debate what they did for PDP,” Wike said.

With his declaration, the Rivers governor joins former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; media mogul, Dele Momodu; former SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim, and others who have all declared on the platform of the PDP.