Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike has called on the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu to use his experience and rescue Nigeria from the All Progressives Congress, APC, bad governance.
The governor also urged Ayu to rebuild the PDP by reconciling aggrieved members who had left the party.
He was speaking at an Interdenominational Thanksgiving Church Service and reception organized by Benue state government in conjunction with the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, for the PDP national chairman, in Makurdi on Sunday.
According to Wike, Ayu has vast experiences of the country having occupied various political positions but has enormous task ahead to rescue Nigeria from the evil hand of the ruling APC led federal government in 2023.
“Today is not a day to talk about APC. Today is the day to join the people of Benue State in thanking God for his mercies. Today is a day we shall be able to tell our National Chairman plainly what the People Democratic Party, PDP expect from him and how we’re going to stand by him to make sure this party is rebuilt, in order to put themselves together and to take over power in 2023.
“History is beckoning on you. Yes, they have said you are former Minister of Industry, you’re former Minister of Interior, you’re former Minister of Education, even Environment. And former Senate President, but you have never been saddle with the responsibility to rescue Nigeria. As a former Minister, you were not given the opportunity to rescue Nigeria. Nigeria was not what it is now. Therefore, the battle to rescue Nigeria, the battle to change leadership in 2023 is on you.
“It is not going to be easy for you. The time for work has come and that is when we will know the experiences you have gathered, how you want to put it to use and rebuild the People’s Democratic Party. It is very, very important.
“We want you to use your experiences as people have said to make sure even those who have left the party, should be brought back to the party,” the governor said.
He enjoined Ayu to avoid being distracted by political ambition of party members, but rather focus on rebuilding PDP into a formidable party.
“Let me also tell you Mr. Chairman, do not be distracted about who will be presidential aspirant, let them not disturb you. Go, focus and rebuild the party. When once the party is rebuilt, I can assure you, you have somebody that will stand in this party, and Nigerians will vote for that person. What is important for you now is to see what you can do. Be focused, let nobody distract you.
“I want to plead with you, let people not tell you to begin to go to one governor’s place or the other, in order for the Governors Forum to be divided. At the end of the day, the party will suffer. Your business is, if the governors are not united, unite the governors, so that they can work for interest of the party. It is very key.
“Today we have lost focus in the National Assembly, and so you have to put our party together to make sure our members of National Assembly speak with one voice and be opposition party they’re supposed to be.
“Yes, I supported you, I voted for you because I have the belief you can turn PDP to success in 2023. But if you’re not doing well, Mr. Chairman, I will shout, I will say Mr. Chairman this is not what we expected from you.
“I’m one of the happiest person today that a new leadership has emerged. I am very, very happy, because I know that if we did not do this, this party would have collapsed. I’m very, very happy. And so most of you who refuse to listen that time, you have now realised that yes, changing leadership is the key for this party to win in 2023,” Wike stressed.
In his homily titled,” Leadership Predicated on God for Service and Accountability to the People”, the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Reverend Wilfred Anagbe stressed the importance of thanksgiving to God in all circumstances.
He urged Ayu to always remain humble and magnanimous in victory as exemplified in his character as an academics.
Bishop Anagbe noted that the victory of Dr. Ayu is for the PDP and an invitation to serve Nigerians again. He urged him not to be a dictator, but work collectively with members of the party to achieve set goals.
Highpoint of the programme was the presentation of a Holy Bible to Governor Wike by Rev. Akpen Leva, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Benue State.
Other governors that attended the programme include Senator Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state and the host Governor, Samuel Ortom.
