We stand by you, Jonathan’s ministers tell Wike

Some former ministers in the administration ex-President Goodluck Jonathan have declared their support for Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in his face-off with the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress ( APC).

Consequently, they have asked the  governor to stand firm in defence  of  democracy.

This is as Governor Wike himself expressed his resolve to remain focused to defend democracy and the interest of Rivers people.

In a solidarity  visit to Governor Wike  at the Government House, Port Harcourt  on  Thursday  night, representatives of the Forum of Former Ministers  lauded Governor  Wike  for  being a pillar of democracy  and providing the right leadership  for Rivers people.

The representatives  of the forum at the solidarity meeting include former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Jigawa State governor, Dr Sule Lamido; former Minister of Education and former Kano State governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau; former Minister of Youth Development and former Adamawa State governor, Mr Boni Haruna; former Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro; Former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih; Former Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and Ambassador  Musa Kazaure, also a former minister.

The Chairman  of the  Forum of Former Ministers, Dr Sule Lamido,  stated that the solidarity visit to Governor Wike  was aimed at encouraging him to remain steadfast  and focused in his promotion  of  the  tenets of democracy.

He said: “We are with you in your  travails. We support  you all the way. We know that you are under siege  by anti-democratic forces.

“No matter  the tyranny of the oppressor, the voice of the people must be heard. That was the case of Rivers State  during the Rivers rerun elections. “

Lamido  regretted that every day, Nigerians  are being divided by the APC -led federal government, which he said has no respect for the principles of democracy.

The Forum of Former Ministers urged  PDP Governors to provide a canopy  for the revival of the PDP.

He said: “Nigerians are looking on to the PDP for salvation and emancipation from the APC.  Our governors must stand together to be our rallying  point.”

In his response, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, declared that for Rivers people, they have resolved to remain with the PDP.

He said: “We will continue  to  stand firm and defend democracy. For us, we have  made  up our mind.  Our family  is PDP.

“We  are prepared  to  pay the price.  We are determined to work  for the  PDP  at all times.”

The governor said  that the crisis in the party will soon be resolved  in the interest of the country.

He explained  that the state has had her rerun elections and learnt  the required  lessons, which he said would guide it in the future.

Governor Wike said: “Don’t  have  sleepless nights. The PDP  will remain  strong in Rivers State.  We will continue  the struggle  against anti-people  forces and we shall  continue to win.”