Some former ministers in the administration ex-President Goodluck Jonathan have declared their support for Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in his face-off with the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress ( APC).
Consequently, they have asked the governor to stand firm in defence of democracy.
This is as Governor Wike himself expressed his resolve to remain focused to defend democracy and the interest of Rivers people.
In a solidarity visit to Governor Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday night, representatives of the Forum of Former Ministers lauded Governor Wike for being a pillar of democracy and providing the right leadership for Rivers people.
The representatives of the forum 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 Adamawa State governor, 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 Ambassador Musa Kazaure, also a former minister.
The 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 -led federal government, which he said 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 Wike, declared that for Rivers people, they have resolved to remain with the PDP.
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 and learnt the required lessons, which he said 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.”
