The Rivers State Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Social Democratic
Party (SDP), Christopher Udume has defected to the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP), declaring support for the re-election of Governor Nyesom
Ezenwo Wike.
The SDP Deputy Governorship Candidate defected with 98 percent of the
Rivers State SDP Executive Committee and some party chairmen from the
Local Government Areas.
Speaking during a defection meeting at the Rivers State PDP Campaign
Office on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Udume said they were defecting to
the PDP to assist Governor Wike secure his re-election.
He said: “On behalf of myself and supporters of the SDP, we wish to join
the PDP. We are bold to say that you deserve to continue with your good
works.
“We are here to say, re-elect Wike again. Your great works are there for
all to see and we are therefore committed to ensuring that you get a
second term”.
He stated that the new PDP entrants will work with Senator-elect for
Rivers South-east, Bari Mpigi to ensure the total success of the party.
State Publicity Secretary of SDP, Inime Righteous said that the party has
come to identify with a success story. He said that they are motivated
because evidence abounds on the achievements of the Governor.
Financial Secretary of the SDP , Adol Ibeka said that the leadership of
SDP has moved specifically to deliver Governor Wike during the 2019
Governorship election.
Secretary of SDP, Cotterell Tumbodiaa said that the second term of the
governor is guaranteed.
Responding, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike said that his
re-election has been secured by God and the good people of Rivers State.
He said that with the defection of the SDP Deputy Governorship Candidate
of SDP, the party no longer has a Governorship Candidate because of the
constitutional requirement for election.
“God in his infinite mercies has given us victory. Nobody born of a woman
can stop us from victory. It doesn’t matter the gunboats or armoured
personnel carriers, God is with us.
“Anybody can plan against us, but you are planning against God. I cannot
be afraid of any man because He who is with us, is greater than them
“, he said.
The governor said all the schemes against elections in Rivers State
will fail because the state is PDP.
Governor Wike thanked the former leaders of SDP in Rivers State for
committing to peaceful elections in Rivers State. He urged other leaders
to abandon negative destructive tendencies and join in the development
of the State.
The Governor said though enemies of the state are not sleeping, they will
continue to fail.
“Enemies of the state are not sleeping, but no power can bring this state
down. God is working for this state. What you have done is in the
interest of the State”.