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From: TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has stated that there is nothing like micro-zoning in relation to today’s (Saturday), National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike noted that the former acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, is the best candidate to drive the party to the next level in view of his (Secondus) experience and track record.
The governor added that PDP would come out from the National Convention stronger and re-positioned to provide credible opposition. He spoke yesterday from the Abuja Studio of Channels Television, when he featured on the station’s Sunrise Daily programme.
He said: “The issue of micro-zoning and gentleman’s agreement does not arise. There is nothing like that. The so-called micro-zoning is being floated by a presidential aspirant from the North supported by campaign officials of Tunde Adeniran”.
He reiterated that the presidential position was zoned to the North and the National Chairmanship zoned to the South. Governor Wike regretted that some PDP National Chairmanship aspirants have resorted to blackmail, simply because they have lost the contention for the delegates.
“Anybody, who believes in PDP will work for the party after the National Convention, whether or not you emerge. You will do otherwise when you are controlled by external forces. No right thinking party member will resort to issuance of threats”, he said.
He explained that contrary to the planting of stories against Prince Secondus by his opponents, the National Chairmanship aspirant has no existing issue with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), having gone to court against the agency and won. He said damages were awarded in favour of Secondus.
“After tomorrow’s convention, PDP will come out stronger. It will come out refreshed and re-positioned for the good of the country. Somebody who believes that he will win, will not resort to writing petitions before the convention. All reports in the media against Secondus are planted and false. Secondus has never said anything negative against any other candidate. He has remained focused on his campaign,” he said.
Wike insisted that the South-South remained the bedrock of the PDP, saying that no zone should be taken for granted. “National chairmanship in the South-West will not change the fortunes of the PDP. Even when the President hails from the South-West, the fortunes of the party did not improve in terms of votes in that zone.
“The zone is prone to incessant crises as can be seen. Any candidate who emerges from the South-West will lead to further crisis from other factions from that zone. Only a candidate from outside the South-West such as Prince Uche Secondus can unite the zone. He has the reach and capacity to unite all factions in the South-West. He is the person suited for the party at this time “, he said.
He noted that of all the National chairmanship aspirants, only Secondus is from a State with PDP as the party in government. The governor further said the other candidates have no political presence in their respective states to drive the revival of the party.
“I have analysed the scenario. I have analysed the delegates spread of each state. There is no way that Prince Uche Secondus will not coast to victory by over 90 percent of delegates votes. I am talking because I am in the campaign team of Prince Uche Secondus and I am a delegate”, he said.
The governor added that he resigned his membership of the National Convention Planning Committee because he wants to focus on the campaign for the emergence of Secondus as National Chairman.
