Wike: Allow PDP Adopt It’s Winning Strategy—Emma Okah

As calls continue to mount on the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Wike to run for the governorship of Rivers State, a former Information Commissioner in the state, Barrister Emma Okah has urged the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC), to mind its business and let the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strategize ahead of the 2015 elections.

He argued that the former OBALGA Chairman would not be breaking any law should he decide to run.

Speaking in a live radio programme, 'Editors Round Table' on 97.7 FM in Port Harcourt on Monday, Barrister Emma Okah emphasized that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not preclude any citizen from contesting for office of Governor on the basis of ethnicity, as long as he or she is qualified within the confines of the law.

“Let's look at the legal dimension, the framers of the constitution did not deny any Nigerian chances of running purely because of ethnic group” he said.

On the heated question whether it was right for the incumbent governor (Chibuike Amaechi) who hails from the Ikwerre ethnic extraction, to be succeeded by another of his kinsmen, Okah described the current development in the PDP as a product of necessity, heaping the blame on Governor Amaechi whom he accused of 'whipping up ethnic sentiments to antagonize one against the other'.

He noted that the PDP was facing a contentious time in the state, a situation he attributed to the 'traitorous' actions of Governor Amaechi and his cohorts. He said under the present circumstance, it would be most dangerous for PDP to allow a candidate who cannot challenge the incumbency of Amaechi.

“Let's look at it from its own peculiarities; PDP in Rivers State is facing a trying moment because a governor was elected under PDP and carried it to APC. Amaechi carried with him, a financial warhead to APC and this weakened the PDP” he said.

He slammed the APC of being jittery over a Wike governorship ticket, adding they should mind their business and leave the PDP alone to adopt its winning strategy.

“Our mandate is to reclaim the Government House which Amaechi took to the APC. And to do this, PDP must field the best candidate and if that man or woman comes from Ubima, Ogoni or Kalabari, the party will support that candidate to win the election” he said.

Okah urged critics of the party to look into history, particularly at what transpired in neighbouring Imo State prior to the election of Governor Rochas Okorocha.

“Recall that after Udenwa came Ohakim as governor of Imo State. Rochas and Udenwa are from same Orlu Senatorial zone but the party went for Rochas because they needed a man who will deliver for them. The same scenario has just presented itself in Rivers State” he said.