By Fola James
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has advised the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC to emulate his party, PDP, and stop unnecessary rivalry that’s capable of derailing the 2023 election.
Some interests in APC has been rooting for the removal of the chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, creating a wide gulf among its supporters across the country.
The APC chairman has just been reinstated last week by the Appeal Court after a serious legal battle.
But Wike said happenings in the ruling party could increase tension in the country ahead the 2013 general election.
The Rivers helmsman stated this after the emergence of former Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea Ambassador Desmond Akawor and 39 others who will now steer the affairs of the PDP in the state.
He said ”To other parties who are fighting I say, stop fighting. Stop going to courts.
Go and conduct yourself very well.
We have no apologies to you.
Try and emulate the PDP exemplary congresses so we all can hope for more peaceful elections and political atmosphere by 2023.”
Akawor was elected alongside Dr. Benebo George, Secretary and Aaron Chikwuemeka who emerged Deputy State Chairman.
They took over from the felix Obuah-led state executive.
Meanwhile, Governor Wike has charged the new chairman to emulate the virtues of Obuah who he said ran the PDP in the state successfully.
He said the former chairman was a crisis time leader who gave his all to make sure the party emerged successful in all elections.
I will fight you if you veered away from these virtues, Wike told the new state’s chairman.
He said “In 2015, against the heavy odds we had to face, we asked ourselves who could stir affairs of the party in Rivers without failure and we won’t be disappointed.
Today everybody can attest to the fact that Obuah delivered outstandingly well.”
According to the governor “Loyalty is not when you do eye service before people you call leaders.
It is about your conduct, the results you post and those things you do at the back of the people you call leaders.”
Adding that “If the rules permit the third tenure, I would have done all I can to let Obuah have another term.”
He warned Akawor to “be careful, incoming chairman. No mistakes. If you mistake we will not forgive you.
Make a mistake, I will personally use everything I have to fight you. You must unite everybody.
Tell your wife, this is not a simple task. Now it is a different ballgame. It’s not going to be easy.”
