The Rivers State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Davies Ikanya, has disagreed with his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Chief Felix Obuah, on the massive defection of PDP members to the APC for lack of good governance.
Ikanya yesterday in Port Harcourt stated that numerous PDP members were being welcomed to the APC from across the 23 local government areas of the state on a daily basis and that the governorship candidate of the party, Dr Dakuku Peterside, would ensure good governance upon assumption of office.
Regardless of the loss of Governor Nyesom Wike at the tribunal and Court of Appeal in Abuja and with the election matter before the Supreme Court, the Rivers PDP chairman insisted that the former Minister of State for Education (Wike) would not be distracted in his determination to transform the state, claiming that APC members were moving to the PDP in Rivers.
Ikanya said: “I can confirm that the prediction by our governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside that PDP will become history in Rivers State by the end of January 2016 has started manifesting, following the massive defection of PDP members into the APC across Rivers State.
“Following the avalanche of defection of mainly PDP members to the APC, our party feels that it is important to re-assure our new members and all those delaying their movement to the APC, for some reasons, that the party and its leaders in Rivers State are committed to treating all members equally, irrespective of when they joined the party. Indeed, the APC believes that, unlike the PDP in Rivers State, which operates like George Orwell’s Animal Farm, where a small clique is more equal than others, we are greater together, because we are equal. And like they say, the sky is so large that there is space for every star.
“Indeed, the APC holds no blame for all those who have now seen the light and the truth that the PDP is led by wickedly, selfish individuals who care only about themselves and sometimes their immediate families.
“Nyesom Wike has proven us right in such a short period as governor. His first consideration for appointments is his brothers, relatives and in-laws, while even his close associates are left to their fate. Wike’s recent appointment of commissioners and special assistants was obviously made grudgingly, because his misfortunes at the election tribunals, Appeal and Supreme Courts made it compelling on him.”
Ikanya also disclosed that Rivers APC would soon make public a comprehensive dossier of the deceit Wike had been inflicting on the people of the state, under the guise of cosmetic projects, with the costs only known to the “outgoing” governor alone.
In the light of the discovery of the style of the Rivers governor, his poor performance and the obviously sinking ship of the PDP in the state, the Rivers APC chairman maintained that Wike would soon be sacked.
Obuah, however, insisted that the Rivers governor would continue to ensure better life, sustainable material and human capital development for the people of the state, as well as good governance and infrastructural development.
He lauded the courage of PDP members in the state and their support for the party’s leader (Wike), who he said had demonstrated his unrivalled ability to steer the ship of Rivers collective desire to a prosperous destination that would guarantee the aspirations and fulfilment of the people’s collective dream of greatness.
The Rivers PDP chair said: “In the past year, you demonstrated your uncommon will and support for the ruling PDP in Rivers State by massively voting out self-seeking, insatiable acclaimed leaders through the ballot, and strongly gave your mandate to Governor Wike who, I’m sure, has not and cannot disappoint you.
“Rivers is a PDP state and cannot be sold out anymore or mortgaged to external economic exploiters, whose only interest in the state is self enrichment, no matter whose ox is gored.
“We have since grown beyond that and have charted a new course of laying a strong and reliable foundation for our teeming youths who are the leaders of tomorrow, through various programmes to enhance their creative skills and entrepreneurial capabilities, which are only realisable in a PDP-led government.”
Obuah also lauded PDP members in Rivers for their faith in the leadership of the party and their continued support for Wike’s administration, urging them to be steadfast and committed to the PDP, while refusing to be intimidated.
The Rivers PDP chairman stated that if the state governor was able to embark of many development projects last year, in such short a time, he assured that this year in Rivers would witness more progress for the greater joy of the people.