Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that governors and leaders would do everything legal to ensure that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, retains the South-South Geo-political zone.
The 2016 South-South Zonal Congress was held successfully in Port Harcourt with Elder Emmanuel Ogidi (Delta State ) emerging as the National Vice Chairman (South-South). He replaced Dr Cairo Ojougboh whose tenure ended on Saturday after the dissolution of the Zonal Exco.
Addressing the South-South PDP Zonal Congress in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Governor Wike stressed that the governors will provide the required support to PDP members in Edo State to ensure the party wins the governorship election in September.
Governor Wike spoke on behalf of the PDP Governors of the Zone. Those in attendance included: Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Prof Ben Ayade (Cross River) , Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta). Also in attendance were: Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senate Minority Leader and Leo Ogor (Minority Leader, House of Representatives).
He said: “The South-South Governors will make sure that PDP retains the zone. All the governors in the zone work as a family.
“We shall give all necessary support to our party members in Edo State for the party to reclaim the state in September “.
The governor said that the National Convention of the party would be successfully held on May 21 in Port Harcourt, pointing out that the rantings of deflated politicians on sponsored television programmes would serve no purpose.
“The PDP Governors and leaders of the Zone support the National Convention, which will hold successfully on May 21”, he said.
He said those issuing press statements on the National Convention are only struggling to be relevant because they know the strength of the party ahead of the next elections.
The governor explained that South-South PDP Governors have all proved to be high class performers, having delivered on the development programmes of the party.
Governor Wike called on PDP members to remain United in the zone, as that is the only way they can consolidate on their successes.
In his remarks, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio called on INEC to conclude the rerun elections in Rivers and other states. He added that South-South PDP National Assembly members worked hard to ensure that the Calabar-Lagos rail line was included in the 2016 budget.
Akpabio said that Nigerians are now yearning for PDP to return to power because they have discovered that the party served them faithfully.
Also speaking, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor berated the Buhari administration for failing the Nigerian people.
Highpoint of the Zonal Congress was the successful election of the new executives of the party drawn from the six states of the Zone.
In his post election address, Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, National Vice Chairman (South-South) pledged to work loyally for the party.
