PDP boils: Wike spits fire

-says Aspirants opposed to Port Harcourt venue are against Rivers, Niger Delta

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has slammed Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) presidential aspirants allegedly opposed to the holding of October 5 and 6 national Convention in Port Harcourt, saying they are by their action showing they are against the economic interest of the state and Niger Delta.

Wike  said such aspirants are also not living up to their campaign promises of restructuring the country.

About thirteen Presidential aspirants are expected to participate in the PDP convention billed to hold on October 5 and 6 in the state capital, to elect its presidential.

While the Port Harcourt venue is endorsed by some aspirants, there has been disquiet over the choice of the venue by some other unnamed aspirants.

Describing the opposition to Port Harcourt as strange, Wike said “those who are against the PDP convention holding in Port Harcourt don’t have the economic interest of Rivers and Niger Delta at heart.

“If you are telling the people of the state and by extension Niger Delta that you don’t want such event to hold in their domain as an aspirant, how will you act when you become a president? How do you expect the people you are telling that you don’t like their state to vote for you during the election?”

“ why are they not acting in tandem with their campaign for the restructuring of Nigeria? From their opposition to Port Harcourt , it means the restructuring campaign is a mere lip service”.

All the aspirants , he stated will enjoy a level playing field, insisting that the choice of Port Harcourt is not meant to give any aspirant an edge over others.

The Governor said “ Every aspirant will be given a level playing field “, adding “ that it is holding in Port Harcourt does not mean anybody will have undue advantage. What it will do for the State is that it will boost its local economy because groundnut, sachet water sellers and food vendors will have more sales. Hoteliers will also record increased business. That is the only thing Rivers State stands to gain from the holding of the convention in Port Harcourt. And anybody who is against Port Harcourt hosting the event does not like the state. He is against the economic interest of the state”.

According to Wike , the person who will emerge the candidate of the party will do so on the basis of his political clout and not on any other consideration.