Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike reiterated that he will not join the All Progressives Congress, despite the party’s call to zone the presidency to the south. Dismissing rumors of his defection as speculative, he affirmed his continued loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Wike made these remarks at the 114th quarterly general meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt on Monday, ahead of Saturday’s presidential election. He told the council that he would vote for the candidate who could guarantee national unity, stating, “I am not a member of the APC and I will not be. But they have made me recognise that they are the heroes of this country.”
The governor explained that APC governors have argued that, for the sake of unity, the presidency should be allocated to the south. “They could have said it doesn’t matter, that we have the numbers and can decide where it stays,” he said, “but they chose to stress national cohesion. Let no one claim dominance simply because of population; domination requires peace, and without peace you cannot govern.”
Addressing the crisis within the PDP, Wike highlighted Rivers State’s long‑standing support for the party, from the era of former Governor Peter Odili to his own administration. He condemned any attempt to deny people the opportunity to lead the nation, emphasizing that “we are all Nigerians and we want the unity of this country.” He added that Rivers has always backed a united Nigeria and will continue to do so, while upholding equity, justice and fairness. “As governor, I will vote for anything that unites Nigeria and reject anything that divides it,” he declared, invoking the principle of “live and let live.” “It’s not about party, it is about Nigeria. I am an unrepentant member of the PDP, a party I helped build when others fled,” he said, noting that his advocacy for inclusivity stems from his belief in national unity. He warned that a strategic state like Rivers should not be relegated to a secondary role.
While he does not encourage traditional rulers to engage in partisan politics, Wike urged them to support the PDP governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, whom he formally presented to the council. He argued that backing Fubara would ensure continuity of the developmental gains achieved since 2015. “In the next few months, I will be a former governor, but in a big way. My transition will be smooth, with no crisis. Do not make the mistake of voting for another person and undoing what we have accomplished; otherwise, our state will regress. Let’s allow continuity.”
The Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Majesty King Dandeson Jaja, Jeki V, Amanyanabo of Opobo, thanked Governor Wike for the respect he has shown the council since assuming office.
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