2023: PDP Lobbying Kwankwaso To Return To Party – Governor Diri

By Akinwale Kasali

Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri has revealed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is not relenting in persuading New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Presidential Candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to return to the PDP.

Governor Diri added that he and some other PDP stalwarts are praying for the return of Kwankwaso to the PDP, as campaigns intensify for the 2023 general elections.

The Governor made this disclosure when Kwankwaso led top officials of his Campaign Council to visit him at the Bayelsa State Government House, Yenagoa.

Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who represented Governor Diri said his Administration was on same page with Kwankwaso on several national problems affecting the country.

He also described the NNPP standard bearer as “an astute politician” who is passionate about working for a better Nigeria.

He, however, pointed out that current realities show that the country could be better fixed by the PDP.

The Governor went further by describing the State as one of the most environmentally terrorised places in the world with an unacceptable level of poverty that requires urgent attention.

He stressed that the State had been facing severe environmental degradation occasioned by gas flaring, crude oil spills and other environmentally unwholesome practices by multinational oil firms over the years.

According to him, what the State and its people need is a Nigerian President that would ensure environmental justice as well as true federalism in resource allocation and redistribution.

He was, however, on the same page with Kwankwaso as regards the country witnessing, what he called, decayed infrastructure, collapsed healthcare and education systems, in addition to pervasive poverty and  insecurity.

He said, “We agree with you in terms of the need to rescue Nigeria. But you know that there is no time your fowl and another will be wrestling that you will be seen clapping hands for the other fowl.

“Earlier, you put the poser across to us that you are expecting us to join you. But I want to let you know that we are also praying hard for you to come back to the PDP, where you rightly belong.”

In his speech, Kwankwaso, explained that he and his team were in the State to sell his aspiration and ideas on how best to fix the country.

He said he would mobilise all democratic forces to save Nigeria from insecurity, poverty, failed healthcare, agriculture, education and infrastructure, if elected as president in the elections scheduled for next month.

He noted that the party was not the issue, but electing the right person as president, warning that Nigerians would have themselves to blame if they did not vote “a healthy person as their next president.”