Governorship candidate of PDP in Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike
• Wike: Rivers will play key role in Jonathan’s re-election
Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has said the emergence of Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the presidential candidate of the party was a spur for the overall development of the country, adding that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) would be a hard sell to the people.
But the APC had claimed that the emergence of Buhari as the presidential flag-bearer of the party for the 2015 general elections was an unmistakable quit notice to Jonathan and the PDP.
This also came as the governorship candidate of PDP in Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, congratulated Jonathan on his ratification as the party’s presidential candidate, pledging that Rivers State PDP under his leadership would play a prominent role in the president’s re-election in 2015.
The views of the parties were contained in separate statements congratulating their presidential candidates and their members for successful convections and presidential primaries.
The PDP, in a statement issued by the state Chairman, Felix Obuah, noted that Jonathan’s emergence was an appreciation of the laudable transformation initiatives championed and delivered to all Nigerians, irrespective of their tribes, religions, social class, and political affiliation.
Obuah said it could not have been anyone else other than Jonathan, following his pedigree, humility, diplomacy, intelligence and leadership prowess of the president.
He further said he was more elated by the President’s commitment to give all Nigerians greater hope and improved standard of living.
While assuring Jonathan of the massive votes by Rivers people, Obuah said the APC flag-bearer, “Buhari, is obviously a hard sell for his party, not only as a Muslim extremist, who treats issues on religions lines, but his diminishing, absurd and out-modelled leadership qualities that could no longer stand the test of time.
“From every indication, the emergence of Gen. Buhari had provided an easy ride for President Jonathan, who has performed overwhelmingly well and still energetic, focused and poised to deliver democratic dividends to Nigerians.”
In his own congratulatory message, the Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the APC, Dr. Davies Ikanya, said, “APC was set up to rescue and salvage our nation from the inept leadership of President Jonathan and PDP. We are happy that this dream is coming true, as indicated by the emergence of General Buhari as the APC flag-bearer.
“This attests to the seriousness of APC to tackle head-long the menace of insecurity, undemocratic practices, corruption and maladministration which are the hallmarks of the outgoing government of President Jonathan. APC couldn’t have made a better choice than this well-respected icon of integrity.”
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, Ikanya, congratulated Buhari on his victory and his determination to lead the way to a new Nigeria if given the mandate next year by Nigerians.
“As Gen. Buhari himself did say at the APC Convention, he is a man who is impatient for change, who loves Nigeria and who deserves to be given a chance to rescue the country and make her great again. We fully agree with him that we as a country simply cannot afford four more years of PDP’s corruption and the corrosive cynicism that it has bred,” Ikanya said.
He also congratulated the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, for the leading role he played towards the emergence of Buhari as APC’s flag-bearer.
“We salute our worthy leader and the other APC Leaders for their political sagacity, which resulted in the best party primaries ever conducted in the country and produced the best possible presidential candidate in the person of Gen. Buhari,” he said.
