People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar will run in 2023 under the party’s banner.
After an intensely contested presidential primary in Abuja, the Turakin Adamawa emerged as the party’s nominee, beating off the governor of Rivers State.
Wike received 237 votes against Atiku’s 371 votes. The former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, received 70 votes, while the governors of Akwa Ibom and Bauchi received 38 and 20 votes, respectively.
However, this article highlights why Governor Wike was more deserving of the ticket.
For Nigerians, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is a household name. When it comes to his rights and constitutional power in any scenario, he is unafraid to take a stand and speak his mind.
Even among his political party, Governor Wike’s captivating demeanor and vocal advocacy have made him a hero to many Nigerians and, no question, one of the country’s most-referenced and respected political figures. This is no accident.
It was therefore with great relief that many of Governor Wike’s peers and colleagues, as well as a wide swath of the Nigerian populace, were relieved when the governor announced his intention to run for president on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on March 27, 2022.
As a result, a well-known politician, who has already achieved notable achievements in delivering landmark and legacy democracy dividends, has finally decided to take up the challenge to serve his people with the same result-oriented zeal and commitment, focus, and determination he’s shown in his state.
Rivers State might be said to reflect Nigeria as a whole since it brings together people from various walks of life and beliefs, all in a postmodern metropolis that is both proudly homogeneous and gloriously tolerant. To the surprise and genuine acclaim of Nigerians, Governor Wike has skillfully woven a comforting halo of long-term peace, security, and safety around this connundrumatic tapestry.
Many major elements influenced and prompted Governor Wike’s decision to register his candidacy for the president of Nigeria.
Among these are concerns about national security, the rule of law, and the promotion of fiscal federalism and comparative advantage, all of which have been hotly debated in Nigeria over the past seven years. They have also reverberated alarmingly throughout the country.
However, the Rivers Governor has often stressed the necessity of the PDP to recognize the loyalty of those who have supported and nourished the party during both harvest seasons and locust years. As a passionate people’s champion and public advocate against the excruciating misgovernance of the governing party, he also emerged as a beacon and catalyst in resurrecting the PDP into an intimidating force that Nigerians are eagerly awaiting.
No governor or political leader in this nation has done so much to foster agreement, strengthen bipartisanship, and welcome friendly opposition as Governor Wike has done in this country’s multiparty democracy. We need a president who is not frightened to go to any area of Nigeria, even if he or she doesn’t have any presidential toga or paraphernalia with him or her. We need a president who will tell Nigerians the truth, call out those who mislead and deceive them and push Nigerian leaders to identify and capitalize on their comparative advantages in the practice of federalism.
His sterling traits have not only infused optimism and purpose into our collective life but, most crucially, distinguished Governor Wike as a thoroughbred.
