The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Tony Okocha, has said that Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike is a member of the “Revival Hope Agenda”.
“In Rivers, I am APC’s 001, but on Renewal Hope Agenda I am 002. Wike is 001,” Okocha said, refuting claims that the former governor had sidelined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for APC. I explained while doing so.
Mr. Okocha told reporters in Abuja on Thursday that Mr. Wike has not left the PDP and will not leave the PDP.
He also said that the 27 Rivers State legislators who are currently in a fierce political battle with the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Siminalai Hubara, have not abandoned the PDP for the APC.
“People are saying that Wike has retreated to APC. They are also saying that 27 MPs who are currently contesting with Mr. Hubala have defected to APC.
“I need to make this clear to everyone: I would like to have them join me, but none of them will agree to join us.
“I’m the one to know if they did that. But clearly they didn’t. What the lawmakers did was a political ploy. I tried to convince them, but they kept agitating. , did not persuade.
“To go into asylum, you have to go to their ward and register and get a membership card. None of them do that,” Okocha said.
Mr. Okocha stressed that Mr. Wike has no intention of leaving the PDP despite its alliance with the Renewal Hope Agenda.
“Wike will never leave PDP. He has always said that PDP made him who he is today. He has always said he will stay there.
“He is a staunch believer of the PDP. It is unlikely that he will leave the group,” Okocha said.
On Wike’s influence on Rivers politics, Okocha said: “Wike has done a lot for Rivers, so he is strong.
“For the next 10 years, Wike will continue to influence Rivers’ political direction.
“It will be difficult to eradicate him.
“Apart from his many projects scattered across the state, he has directly impacted people’s lives. Such people are always behind him.”
“If the cause is right and we give him a platform to serve the people, Wike will be part of it,” Okocha added.