BY Ayodele Oluwafemi
Jerry Gana, a former minister of information, has asked Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, to put away the disappointment of the past and look to the future when he will become Nigeria’s president.
Gana spoke on Friday during the flag-off of a flyover in the Obio-Akpor area of Rivers state.
Over the past few weeks, Wike has been at the centre of the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike had contested the presidential ticket of the party but he lost to Atiku Abubakar.
The crisis worsened after Abubakar named Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta, as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
Following the announcement, some party stakeholders expressed concerns that Abubakar overlooked Wike — who was said to have been recommended by a panel set up at Abubakar’s instance.
Efforts by PDP stakeholders and elders to resolve the crisis have since proved abortive. The development has fuelled speculation that Wike may support a presidential candidate from another party in the 2023 election.
Making reference to the PDP crisis, Gana appealed to Wike to stay in the party and not relent on his commitment to the party.
The former minister commended Wike for his “sustained emphasis” on developmental projects and good governance.
“Your sustained emphasis on development projects has shown clearly that good governance is possible through good leadership,” Gana said.
“You have demonstrated the power of good leadership in delivering development projects to the people of Rivers state.
“Please, accept our congratulations for this kind of good leadership that performs. You have a bright future.
“If some people have disappointed you this time around, don’t worry, your future is bright. Age is on your side. You will preside over Nigeria someday. You didn’t hear me, I said you will preside over Nigeria someday.
“Let me now ask the good people of Rivers state – very wonderful people – to ensure that in the forthcoming elections, you vote massively for the candidate of our party who is being supported by this performing governor so that there will be continuity; so that the good things he is doing here can be continued by the next set of people that are going to govern this place.
“Don’t make the mistake of throwing away your votes to another party. The PDP will never let you down. We shall do well; we shall excel; we shall perform and we shall be trustworthy. So, we plead with you in the forthcoming election to ensure that the candidates of our party are supported and elected.”
Gana urged Wike to “stay firm” within the opposition party and “never waiver because so many people outside Rivers state are looking up to you”.
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