By ‘Dotun Akintomide
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has dismissed rumours that there are plans by him to manipulate delegates to favour one of the presidential aspirants at the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holding in Port Harcourt.
Fielding questions from journalists on Friday, Governor Wike said nobody no matter how influential can control the voting pattern of 36 States delegates and Abuja.
In his words: “I have a right to vote as a delegate. But my influence is minimal. Those talking about this dont have the facts.
“Are you saying that as Governor of Rivers State, I will place a gun on the head of all delegates to vote a particular candidate.
“I cannot compel all the 14 governors to vote a particular aspirant. You mean you can change the views and opinions of all the states?” he said.
The Governor said that he will work with other leaders to ensure that the National Convention was transparent and credible.
Governor Wike also stated that credible intelligence indicate that APC has imported thugs into the state with the aim of disrupting the process.
“As at thursday, APC brought hoodlums to create an atmosphere of insecurity in Rivers State. It is not a mere allegation. We have it on good authority,” he said.
Wike added that despite the plot of the APC, everything has been done to ensure that the National Convention ends successfully.
He noted that whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate should team up with other leaders to sack the “failed APC Federal Government”.
The governor stressed that his interest is not in the outcome of the National Convention, but the economy of the state.
The aspirants in the race are Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Sen. Bukola Saraki; Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo; Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso; Gov. Aminu Tambuwal; Ahmed Makarfi; and Jonah Jang.
Others are Sen. David Mark; Sule Lamido; Atahiru Bafarawa; Tanimu Turaki; Datti Baba-Ahmed; and Stanley Osifo.
