Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has admonished the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, to bring his wealth of experience to rescue Nigeria from its presents state.
He also urged him to ensure that he reconciled aggrieved members who had left the PDP, with a view to bringing them back to the party as they had no opportunity in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Governor Wike gave the advice at the interdenominational thanksgiving church service and reception organised by the Benue State government in conjunction with the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Benue State Chapter for the PDP national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi on Sunday.
The governor noted that Ayu had vast experiences of the country having occupied various political positions.
He, however, reminded him of the enormous task ahead to rescue Nigeria from the evil hand of the ruling APC led federal government in 2023.
“Today is not a day to talk about APC. Today is the day to join the people of Benue State in thanking God for his mercies. Today is a day we shall be able to tell our national chairman plainly what the People Democratic Party, PDP, expects from him and how we’re going to stand by him to make sure this party is rebuilt, in order to put themselves together and to take over power in 2023.
“History is beckoning on you. Yes, they have said you are former Minister of Industry, you’re former Minister of Interior, you’re former Minister of Education, even Environment. And former Senate President, but you have never been saddled with the responsibility to rescue Nigeria. As a former minister, you were not given the opportunity to rescue Nigeria. Nigeria was not what it is now. Therefore, the battle to rescue Nigeria, the battle to change leadership in 2023 is on you.
“It is not going to be easy for you. The time for work has come and that is when we will know the experiences you have gathered, how you want to put it to use and rebuild the People’s Democratic Party. It is very, very important.
“We want you to use your experiences as people have said to make sure even those who have left the party, should be brought back to the party.”
The governor enjoined the national chairman not to be distracted on the political ambition of party members, but rather focus on rebuilding PDP into a formidable party.
“Let me also tell you Mr. Chairman, do not be distracted about who will be presidential aspirant, let them not disturb you. Go, focus and rebuild the party. When the party is rebuilt, I can assure you, you have somebody that will stand in this party, and Nigerians will vote for that person. What is important for you now is to see what you can do. Be focused, let nobody distract you.”
Governor Wike urged the chairman not to listen to those who will come and tell him that governors want to hijack the party.
According to him, those who adopted the tactics in the past did so to divide and rule the party.
“I want to plead with you, let people not tell you to begin to go to one governor’s place or the other, in order for the governors forum to be divided. At the end of the day, the party will suffer. Your business is, if the governors are not united, unite the governors, so that they can work for the interest of the party. It is very key.”
He alleged loss of confidence by Nigerians on members of the National Assembly and urged Ayu to ensure that PDP members thenceforth formed a formidable team, speak with one voice as they were in time past.
Speaking further, Governor Wike stated categorically that despite the fact that he supported and voted the national chairman, he would not hesitate to speak out when he is deviating from doing that which the party expected him to do.
He expressed happiness over the successful election that ushered in a new leadership of the party and assured the national chairman of his commitment with other governors of the party to ensure that he succeeded in his bid to rescue Nigeria.
In his homily titled “Leadership Predicated on God for Service and Accountability to the People,” the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Reverend Wilfred Anagbe, stressed the importance of thanksgiving to God in all circumstances.
He urged Ayu to always remain humble and magnanimous in victory as exemplified in his character as an academic.
Bishop Anagbe noted that the victory of Ayu was for the PDP and an invitation to serve Nigerians again.
He urged him not to be a dictator, but work collectively with members of the party to achieve set goals.
Highpoint of the programme was the presentation of a Holy Bible to Governor Wike by Rev. Akpen Leva, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Benue State.
Other governors that attended the programme included Senator Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and the host governor, Samuel Ortom.
