The deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers state, Christopher Udume, on Thursday, February 28, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring support for the re-election of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
Udeme defected with 98% of the Rivers state SDP executive committee and some party chairmen from the local government areas.
A statement from the media office of Governor Wike said Udume, who spoke in Port Harcourt, explained that he and the others were defecting to the PDP to assist Governor Wike secure his re-election.
The SDP deputy governorship candidate addressing Wike Credit: Simeon Nwakaudu
Source: Facebook
“On behalf of myself and supporters of the SDP, we wish to join the PDP. We are bold to say that you deserve to continue with your good works.
"We are here to say, re-elect Wike again. You great works are there for all to see and we are therefore committed to ensuring that you get a second term,” he said.
According to him, the new PDP entrants will work with senator-elect for Rivers South East, Bari Mpigi, to ensure the total success of the party.
The statement quoted the state publicity secretary of the SDP as saying that the party had come to identify with a success story.
He said that they are motivated because evidence abounds on the achievements of the Governor.
The financial secretary of the party, Adol Ibeka, said that the leadership of SDP has moved specifically to deliver Governor Wike during the 2019 governorship election.
In his response, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike said that his re-election has been secured by God and the good people of Rivers state.
Wike noted that with the defection of the SDP deputy governorship candidate, the party no longer has a flag bearer because of the constitutional requirement for election.
"God in his infinite mercies has given us victory. Nobody born of a woman can stop us from victory. It doesn't matter the gunboats or armoured personnel carriers, God is with us.
Wike speaking with the SDP governorship running mate in Rivers Credit: Simeon Nwakaudu
Source: Facebook
"Anybody can plan against us, but you are planning against God. I cannot be afraid of any man because He who is with us, is greater than them,” he said adding that all the schemes against elections in Rivers state will fail because the state is PDP.
Wike commended the former leaders of SDP in the state for committing to peaceful elections in Rivers. He urged other leaders to abandon negative destructive tendencies and join in the development of the state.
"Enemies of the state are not sleeping, but no power can bring this state down. God is working for this state. What you have done is in the interest of the state,” the governor said.
Legit.ng reported earlier that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers exonerated the party from the violence that rocked some parts of the state during the just concluded elections.
The APC made the clarification during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, February 27.
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