* Nigerians are dying;
* Our economy is in shambles;
* Don’t allow them to deceive you
* Crowd chants “Wike! Wike!! Wike!!!”
“I come to you as a Nigerian, not as a man from the South”, Governor Nyesom Wike, Presidential aspirant on the platform of the PDP, remarked while addressing delegates from Yobe and Borno States who were gathered to hear him.
Monday’s weather was sunny and clement, and the sky above, white and blue, with the temperature in Maiduguri moderately hot.
The Rivers Governor who made no reference to zoning, which has since become the bone of contention between North and South, told PDP delegates that he was in Maiduguri to ask for their support in the primaries of the party billed to take place nextM month.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno of State and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State during a courtesy visit in Maiduguri paid by the Presidential aspirant on the platform of the PDP. “Our economy is in shambles and you need somebody who can withstand… and make our economy to stabilize”, Wike observed.
“Insecurity does not know a Muslim; Insecurity does not know a Christian” Wike noted, stressing that what Nigerians want is a solution to instability.
“I am a man who knows how to solve problems”, the Governor told the cheering crowd.
From left to right: Barrister Andoka, SAN, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the federation, Ibrahim Dankwanbo, former Governor of Gombe State who were part of Wike’s entourage. Amidst chants of “Wike! Wike!! Wike!!!”, the Rivers Governor reminded the audience that when there were attempts to destabilize the PDP in Borno and Yobe states, he joined them on a rescue mission.
He recalled that he fought fiercely in order to ensure that the party and its, leadership in the two states remained intact.
“Don’t allow anyone to come and deceive you”, Wike pleaded with delegates, “when they call you, which ever language they use, say Wike.”
Delegates drawn from Yobe and Borno States who stormed the venue to listen to Governor Nyesom Wike deliver his message of hope.
“Nigerians are aware, people are dying. Moslems are dying, Christians are dying. Northerners are dying, Southerners are dying. We need someone who can stop all this and that is me”, Wike pointed out.
Asking his supporters to shun efforts by lobbyists and others in the race to penetrate their ranks, Wike charged his audience to ensure that they cast their ballots in his favour during the primaries slated for May 28th and 29th.
Governor Nyesom Wike, making waves across the country, as he seeks the support of PDP delegates for his presidential ambition.
Earlier, former Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo who was part of Wike’s entourage charged the delegates to throw their weight behind the Presidential aspirant.
He said Wike who had done so much for the PDP deserved to receive the greenlight from delegates to lead the country.
Describing him as a courageous leader who has transformed into the voice of the voiceless, Dankwambo said this was the time for the PDP to reward him for his efforts in keeping the party one.
Also speaking, Mohammed Alkali Imam, leader of the party in Borno State whom Wike referred to as a dependable ally said the PDP in Yobe and Borno would have gone into oblivion without the support of the presidential aspirant.
Imam said the moment had come to repay Governor Nyesom Wike for his commitment and support for the PDP in the two states.
He assured the Rivers Governor of the backing of the delegates of the two states and expressed optimism that he would pick the ticket when the time comes because of his good works.
In their separate speeches, the Chairmen of the Borno chapter, Alhaji Zanna Gaddama and his Yobe counterpart, Ambassador Umar El Gash poured encomiums on the Rivers Governor.
They said Wike has been a bulwark of support for the PDP in Yobe and Borno States, recalling how he stepped into the ring during the Prince Uche Secondus era to salvage the party.
They said the leaders of the PDP in the two states would remain grateful for his role when efforts were made in some quarters to destabilize them.
They urged support for Wike’s presidential ambition and assured him that delegates from the two states will weigh in on his side during the primaries.
Delivering the welcome address, the Borno State Secretary of the Party, Ali Aliyu said he was honoured to welcome such a great and fearless Nigerian to the State.
Also part of the entourage of the Governor were Barrister Andoka, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Former Secretary to the Government of Rivers State, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, one-time Commissioner for Information and Communications and former members of the National Assembly as well as Hon Sam, a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The Port Harcourt Telegraph Correspondent who was on the trip reports that huge crowds turned out on the streets to cheer the Rivers strongman.
He says there was great excitement as Wike delivered his vision for a better and more united country.
While some delegates chanted “Wike, Wike, Wike!”, others chanted “Mr. Projects” in appreciation of his unifying speech which set the hall ablaze.