Former Ministers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have declared their support for the Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, in the face of a political siege on Rivers State masterminded by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former minsters encouraged Governor Wike, who is also one of their own, to stand firm in his defence of democracy.
In a solidarity visit to Governor Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt, representatives of the Forum of Former Ministers lauded Governor Wike for being a pillar of democracy and providing the right leadership for the Rivers people.
The Representatives of the Forum of Former Ministers at the Solidarity Meeting include: Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Former Jigawa State Governor, Dr. Sule Lamido; Former Minister of Education and Former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau; Former Minister of Youth Development and Former Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Boni Haruna; Former Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, Former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih; Former Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada; and Former Minister (Ambassador) Musa Kazaure.
Chairman of the Forum of Former Ministers, Dr. Sule Lamido, stated that the solidarity visit to Governor Wike was aimed at encouraging him to remain steadfast and focused in his promotion of the tenets of democracy.
He said: “We are with you in your travails. We support you all the way. We know that you are under siege by anti-democratic forces. No matter the tyranny of the oppressor, the voice of the people must be heard. That was the case of Rivers State during the Rivers Rerun Elections.”
Lamido regretted that every day, Nigerians are being divided by the APC Federal Government, which has no respect for the principles of democracy.
The Forum of Former Ministers urged PDP Governors to provide a canopy for the revival of the PDP.
He said: “Nigerians are looking on to the PDP for salvation and emancipation from the APC. Our governors must stand together to be our rallying point”.
In his response, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike declared that for the Rivers people, they have resolved to remain with the PDP. Governor Wike assured them that he will remain focused to defend democracy and the interest of the Rivers people.
He said: “We will continue to stand firm and defend democracy. For us, we have made up our mind. Our family is PDP.
“We are prepared to pay the price. We are determined to work for the PDP at all times”.
The governor said that the crisis in the party will soon be resolved in the interest of the country.
He explained that the state has had her rerun elections, learnt the required lessons, which would guide it in the future.
Governor Wike said: “Don’t have sleepless nights. The PDP will remain strong in Rivers State. We will continue the struggle against anti-people forces and we shall continue to win”.