Convention Venue: Wike Blows Hot, Says Rivers Will Teach PDP ‘Bitter Lesson’ If It Boycotts P/Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has threatened dire consequences if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) succumbs to pressures to move the party’s National Convention away from Port Harcourt.

The governor made this known while speaking during a consultative visit by the Gombe State Governor and PDP presidential aspirant, Ibrahim Dankwambo, at the Government House Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

Wike said the state will not support any desperate PDP presidential aspirant who is fighting the hosting of the party’s presidential primary in Port Harcourt.

He further warned that Rivers People will teach PDP a bitter lesson if it allows itself to be used by presidential aspirants to take the primaries away from the state.

He said any presidential aspirant fighting Rivers State should forget about the support of the state, during and after the National Convention.

He said: “Let me warn the party, if you dare, Rivers State will teach the party a lesson. Those days have passed when they took Rivers State for granted. Nobody can use and dump Rivers State.

“No presidential aspirant can use and dump Rivers State. We never lobbied for it, we never asked for it, but it will boost the economy of the state. People will make money.

“Those who are against Rivers people from making money to improve their businesses, will not get our support.

“I don’t know why anyone who wants to be president, will be afraid of a venue. Then you are not prepared for the election.

“Nobody should dare Rivers State any longer. Enough is enough. PDP should know that we are not a punching bag. We are not a people you can use and push. We are not harlots. Whenever you want, you come. When you finish, you push us aside.

“We will retaliate at the appropriate time. When you go, tell your colleagues, the presidential aspirants. We were not interested, but having given it to us, you cannot insult us.”

The PDP is to choose a presidential candidate during its national convention on Oct. 5 and 6. Several prominent politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Senate President Bukola Saraki, are leading contenders to fly the party’s flag in the presidential election next year.

The party had fixed Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital for the convention, a decision that didn’t go down well with some sections of the party.

Wike pointed out that there are persons who are not presidential materials, but have bought forms simply because the presidency is zoned to the North.

He wondered why a presidential aspirant would declare that he is uncomfortable with Port Harcourt as a venue, but would love Rivers oil.

He said: “You come here to deceive us about restructuring. Just that Rivers State is a venue, you fight it. Then, when you are there, what will happen? You think we are fools where you preach restructuring, then when you get the position, you abandon restructuring.”

The governor said that at the appropriate time, he will reveal the names of presidential aspirants working with the APC-led federal government to scuttle the presidential primary.