2023: I never promised to announce my preferred presidential candidate publicly, Rivers people know who I’m supporting – Wike

The governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, February 1, said that the residents of the state are already aware of his preferred presidential candidate ahead of the forthcoming general election.

Wike noted that those expecting him to make a public declaration on his preferred candidate would wait in vain.

The governor made this known at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign rally in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Wednesday, The Vanguard reports.

The governor was apparently responding to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in 2015, Dakuku Peterside, who dared Wike to declare his preferred presidential candidate on Tuesday evening.

However, Wike said that he never promised to make a public declaration on his preferred presidential candidate.

Wike noted that, “I never promised anybody that I will face the cameras to announce my preferred presidential candidate.

“I only said that I will tell Rivers people the presidential candidate that they will support.

“I did not specifically state the method or medium that I intend to use. I did not say that I will hold live coverage to make my preferred candidate known to Nigerians.

“And the people of Rivers state know this candidate already. Are you not aware?

“Have we not said it? I’ve told my people and my people already have the knowledge of who they are to vote for at the polls.

“The G5 governors are fighting a guerilla warfare. The more people look, the less they tend to see,” he added.

Wike also accused the state commissioner of police, CP Okon Effiong, of shying away from checking perceived infractions on elections campaigns by opposition parties in the state.

The governor, while speaking on perceived indifference of the Okon to alleged infractions in campaigns by opposition parties in the state, warned the CP that he would take over his job and unleash neighborhood watch, the state’s established community policing outfit, on opposition parties.

He stated that, “You are the one making them (opposition parties) to break the law. If you don’t do your work, we will take over your work from you.

“We will release our neighborhood watch if you fail to do your work. You cannot support people who are breaking the law.

“You know the truth of the matter, but you are scared so that they won’t transfer you out of Rivers state.

“You can be transfered anywhere, any day. Your fear of being transfered will not save you.

“Nobody should intimidate you, and do your work,” Wike added.