Gov. Wike debunks rumours of alleged planned defection to APC
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State has debunked rumours of his planned defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Rumours came alive that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leader who is always critical of President Muhammadu Buhari will switch camp to the APC following an open letter of appreciation to the President.
Governor Wike had sponsored an advertorial in national newspapers, wherein he appreciated President Buhari for approving the repayment of N78.9billion as funds spent by the Rivers State on federal roads in the state.
The Rivers State Governor had in the letter appealed to Buhari to visit the state to see the projects being executed by his administration.
Some political pundits have, however, interpreted the publications as a decoy and part of Wike’s plans to romance the President and win acceptance into the ruling APC.
But Governor Nyesom Wike dismissed the rumours as unfounded, describing the peddlers as people who love to play bad politics.
Answering questions on an Africa Independent Television, AIT, live programme Wednesday morning, the governor asked of what purpose he would be joining the APC when he was already on his second term as the governor of Rivers State.
“You know what I went through to win my second term. What else will I need to join APC for, is it to get a ticket for a third term or to get a presidential ticket?” You know when people don’t have anything to do, they go on social media to say all sorts of things,” he said.
Wike clarified that when other states received the refund for federal roads they reconstructed in 2018, Rivers State was excluded.
He recalled how he complained to President Muhammadu Buhari, the late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, and the Minister of Works, Babatunde Raji Fashola.
The Rivers State governor since the refund had been approved, he, his state executive council, and other members of his cabinet decided to appreciate the President, saying the main letter had been sent to the President three weeks ago before the newspaper advertorial.
Governor Wike enjoined Nigerians to learn to appreciate, saying his letter to Buhari was a mere appreciation with no intention to romance him or join the APC.
