The governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has said that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would be making a mistake should it give the former Kogi west senator, Dino Melaye the party’s ticket for the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi State.
Wike made the declaration at a media chat in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
He said Melaye, who is among the contenders screened by the PDP ahead of the primary election, cannot defeat candidates of the other parties should he clinch the PDP ticket.
“When you give Dino that ticket you know he won’t win in Kogi state. You’re talking about governance of a state, we are not talking about drama.
“Dino does not have what it takes. What is he going to do? Why would Kogi people say they will vote for Dino? Are we joking?
“He does not have what it takes to be a governor at all. It is not about coming to act drama on television.
“Does it mean now that if the PDP wants to win the election, it would give the ticket to Dino and you say tomorrow that you were rigged when you have already killed yourself?
“Are we saying that we want to win an election or just have a candidate?” he said.
Asked if he would campaign for the opposition party if Melaye wins the primary, Wike said: “Do you need to ask me that kind of question? Are you not aware that I would not do that?”
He accused the party’s leadership of trying to “manipulate” the process in favour of Dino.
“Why are you trying to manipulate this in favour of one aspirant? Why would Kogi people say they would vote for a candidate like Dino? Are we joking?”
The governor said the process to elect the party’s flag bearer should be free and credible to allow the best candidate to emerge.
“Elections will come like what they are going for now in Kogi State. Of course, you have seen what is going on — how lists have been changed to favour a particular candidate (whose candidacy) as far as I am concerned is dead on arrival,” he added.
