Rivers State bigger than any man's interest-- Wike

Governor Nyesom Wike (2nd R), Senator-elect Barry Mpigi (r), Former Rivers State AAC Deputy Governorship Candidate,  Chief Akpo Bomba Yeeh (3rd R ), PDP National Chairman,  Prince Uche Secondus (3rd L) Rivers State PDP Chairman,  Bro Felix Obuah (2nd L) and Former Rivers State Governor,  Sir Celestine Omehia (l) during a solidarity visit by the Former African Action Congress ( AAC) Deputy Governorship Candidate,  Chief Akpo Bomba Yeeh at the Government House Port Harcourt on Monday

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has declared that no one man's  interest is bigger than the state, declaring that all leaders must work together to move Rivers State forward.

Speaking during a solidarity visit by the former African Action Congress ( AAC) Deputy Governorship Candidate,  Chief Akpo Bomba Yeeh at the Government House Port Harcourt on Monday,  Governor Wike said history  will be kind  to the Former AAC  Deputy Governorship Candidate for placing Rivers interest above personal consideration.

Governor Wike  received  the Former AAC Deputy Governorship Candidate alongside PDP National Chairman,  Prince Uche Secondus,  Rivers State PDP Chairman,  Bro Felix Obuah,  Former Rivers State Governor,  Sir Celestine Omehia,  Senator-elect Barry Mpigi and other leaders of Rivers State.

Governor Wike said: "History will be on your side.  You have shown that the interest of the state is above personal  consideration.  God will not only protect you, He will reward  you for this decision.

"Rivers  State is the only state  we have. Everyone must work together to move this state forward. It is important  to take this state to greater heights.

"It is not everyone  that can take this kind of decision.  It requires maturity  to take this kind of decision ".

The  Governor said all leaders of Rivers State irrespective  of their political affiliations must work in unity to develop the State.

He said: "All of us must work together in order to forge ahead. No one man's interest is bigger than that of the State".

He welcomed  the Rivers State Deputy Governorship Candidate into PDP,  noting that he will be part of the group to consolidate the development of the state.

"You are welcome  to the party that will move the state forward.  Those on the other side  must understand  that you cannot kill people, just to be in power.  With this bold decision,  our brothers on the other side know that the end has come", he said.

Governor Wike thanked the Former AAC Deputy Governorship Candidate for refusing  to allow himself  to be a tool for the destabilisation of the state.

PDP  National Chairman,  Prince Uche Secondus described the defection as a welcome development,  which will help Rivers State move forward.

He said: "This is a welcome development.  This is what a normal situation is supposed to be.  The people will see the reason why we must work together.  This  is an uncommon  decision. You have taken a wise decision because you have the interest of the people at heart".

Secondus  called on INEC to bring the Rivers election to a logical conclusion , so that the people can continue  with  their  lives.

He called on the Minister of Transportation,  Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and other persons working with him to see reason why they should stop destabilising the state and causing confusion.

Earlier,  the Former AAC Deputy Governorship Candidate,  Chief Akpo Bomba Yeeh said the state developed by her founding fathers should be sustained  by the efforts of all Patriots.

He said: "Today, I am in your midst to declare  my defection  to the PDP.  Governor Wike is a man of vision. He is a man of compassion.  It is his compassion  that endears him to the people  of Rivers State.  I choose to identify  with  him to move the state forward ".

He added that as a retired security personnel,  he will work with Governor Wike to promote  the security of the State.

Yeeh informed  Governor Wike that he has officially  withdrawn his candidacy of AAC.

"I officially announce the withdrawal of  my candidacy for the AAC.  My loyalty  is with the PDP. I cannot afford to leave the fast lane and go to the slow lane", he said.

In a remark,  Rivers State PDP Chairman,  Bro Felix Obuah said the Former AAC Deputy Governorship Candidate has searched his conscience and decided to work with the PDP  to develop the state.