Indications have emerged that Governor Nyesom Wike may likely have his candidate, Uche Secondus installed as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its convention scheduled for Saturday 9th December.
Unconfirmed reports alleged that Wike has spent a minimum sum of N15 billion to sponsor the convention.
The Governor is also reported to have bought up almost everybody of influence in the PDP.
The recent outbursts of former military President Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Bode George, Ebenezer Babatope and other stakeholders especially from the South West against the PDP National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Sen.Ahmed Makarfi is reportedly connected to the fact that Wike is allegedly single handedly funding the Convention with a whopping N15 billion.
This is aside the offers he purportedly made influential members of the party including its National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi who recently picked up N2.5 billion and a multi billion naira contract alongside 3 other important members of the Committee who also got at least 500m each from the Rivers Governor.
The Governor was also said to have reminded the party stakeholders how he allegedly spent over 7billion naira in securing judgment for the Sen. Makarfi faction of the party against Sen.Modu Sheriff at the Supreme Court.
“To show his seriousness in securing the party’s top post, Governor Wike is reported to have given each Northern PDP State Chairman N5 million each and has budgeted $10,000 for each delegate who votes his candidate, Uche Secondus.
“The Governor, who is derisively referred to as The Port Harcourt ATM by party top stakeholders on account of his huge financial inducement is leaving no stone un-turned in acquiring the PDP ahead of the 2019 general elections.
“The Governor had earlier promised to support Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential ambition but later appeared to be backing down on the promise, prompting a surprising visit from former President Goodluck Jonathan who is one of Atiku’s strongest backers.
“Governor Wike has a reputation of heavy financial inducements, his name had cropped up at every bribery saga since 2015. He was caught on tape compromising and threatening INEC officials who were in the state to conduct the several re-run elections held recently.
“Meanwhile back home in Rivers State, the government is owing a lot of backlog in arrears and pensions including over 24 and 7months owed staff of Rivers State Sustainable Dev.Agency and GPH Agency respectively. The Governor is also known for embarking on low-value projects spiced up with massive media coverage.
“As it stands now, it will take a miracle for anybody in the party to meet Wike’s huge financial war chest” , a source told Africa Update.
