Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that the 2023 general elections will prove to many the strategic political importance of the state.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Wike said Rivers state cannot continue to be a dumping ground where the interests of the people are considered inconsequential.
Governor Wike spoke at Elele Civic Centre, venue of the flag-off of construction work on the Elele Internal Roads in Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA) on Monday.
He urged people to understand that Rivers State stands very strong in the scheme of national affairs, which is why it is given that when the state gives anybody support, it should be reciprocated.
Instead of people to address their minds to that reality, governor Wike said they were rather issuing political threats against the State. He warned those issuing such threats in Abuja to have a rethink else they will have problems.
Governor Wike said Rivers State has remained the bedrock of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999, provided it with bulk of votes and logistics than any PDP State in the country.
The governor insisted that if there was no Rivers State there would not also have been a PDP, but despite the State’s contributions, there is nothing of note, in terms of project that can be reckoned as benefit to justify the support.
Governor Wike pointed to how Rivers State refused to enter into negotiation with the APC led federal government as done by other States, and did not give President Muhammadu Buhari 25% votes in the 2019 election despite the heavy military presence in the State.
He explained that Rivers State rank higher above other States, and they should shiver when it is talking.
“Let me use this opportunity to tell you. People should understand. Rivers state is very strong as far as this country is concerned.
“I have told people. Rivers State is not a dumping ground and will never be a dumping ground. If we give you support, we believe you can reciprocate, so nobody should threaten us, no political party can threaten Rivers State, not one.
“So all those who are opening their mouth in Abuja to threaten Rivers State, think twice before you have a problem,” Wike said.
