PDP will be stronger without Ayu, says Wike

• Says he’s not scared of EFCC after leaving office

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be stronger to achieve great results without its embattled national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

The governor maintained that under Ayu, PDP became weak, lacking the kind of leadership that should make it a strong political force to reckon with because embattled national chairman was busy with personal gains he could grab.

Wike made the accusation when he spoke at the Rumuigbo Civic Centre, venue of the inauguration of Rumuigbo Internal Roads in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area on Wednesday.

The governor said he cannot support Ayu, who instead of providing strong national leadership to the PDP, was busy building private university in Benue State from the money realised from the party’s congresses.

“I believe that we should have a strong leadership. I can’t support people whose interest is only to amass money. I can’t support people that when we did congresses and raised about N12.5 billion and within two months, the money was gone. Somebody has stayed in office for one year, he is building university, I won’t support such.”

Wike explained that it is because of such unproductive leadership style to the party that he is supporting the removal of Ayu from office.

Commenting on the internal roads project, he said in December 2022 when it was flagged-off, he promised that it will be completed and inaugurated by him, which has been fulfilled.

Wike told them that he feels satisfied to have performed well in office and declared in good authority that he served Rivers people credibly without also disappointing or embarrassing his kinsmen. He assured of inaugurating more projects until the midnight of May 28, without any project already ongoing abandoned.

Wike informed that he is not afraid of any visit from the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) when he leaves office, because there is nothing to hide and the numerous projects are evidences of how resources of the state have been used.

Inaugurating the project, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State commended Wike for achieving more projects for Rivers people. He attributed this not entirely to too much money at the disposal of the governor, but his commitment to providing better living condition for Rivers people.

Mohammed also acknowledged the political sagacity of Wike demonstrated in ensuring PDP in the state won the governorship, all State Assembly and three senatorial seats, and delivering votes that contributed to his preferred Southern president