Niger Delta youths, under the aegis of Niger Delta Youths Leadership Forum (NDYLF), have commended the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Standard Bearer, Atiku Abubakar, for considering Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as running mate.

The National Coordinator of the group, Richard Akinaka, said the cconsideration of Wike as vice presidential candidate of the PDP would assuage frail nerves provoked by the emergence of a northern candidate as against original zoning arrangement of the party.

Akinaka, in a statement issued yesterday evening, said the consideration was timely and confirmed the PDP as a right-thinking party of choice ahead of the 2023 presidential election,

“This decision is the best for the time. We feel it is a reward for hard work on the part of Wike and his performance. As a people, we are grateful because Wike is an embodiment of the South and for this singular reason, we are going to mobilise the entire south and Niger Delta region to support the PDP come 2023, for making sure that a man who works so hard, who promotes the peace and growth of the party is recognised.”

“Though what happened at the convention stirred up concern, but now this is part of fence-mending processes.”

Akinaka also dismissed as “misconception” the prediction that Wike may be at loggerheads with his principal if elected as President and Vice President, insisting that “both Atiku and Wike will complement each other.”

He said: “Governance is one vehicle. As a vice president, if you make yourself valuable around your principal, he will engage you. People fail to understand that leadership is about responsibilities. Wike, with his level of performance, will definitely be a source of strength to his boss.”