Immediate past Accountant General of Rivers state, Siminaliayi Fubara has clinched the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to contest the 2023 governorship election.
Fubara, widely acknowledged as Wike’s first choice aspirant emerged winner at the primary concluded Wednesday night at the Obi Wale Cultural Center, Port Harcourt with majority delegates swayed by the governor’s will.
In the results counted by Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Prof Walter Botu, Fubara polled an overwhelming 721 of total 898 delegates votes cast to pick the ticket with his closest rival and Wike’s alleged second choice and immediate Rivers Commissioner for Finance, Kamalu Isaac, polling 86 votes.
A party chieftain and delegate, reflecting on the predictable outcome of the exercise noted, “It has been easy in a way, and not so easy in another way. It was easy because hardly any aspirant expressed interest in the race with a mind of his own.
“Virtually all chested out, totally depending on Wike’s endorsement. Reps member, Farah Dagogo, the only one who bought intent form, professing not to depend on anyone, is languishing in cell today, awaiting trial for criminal breaches he has pleaded not guilty to.
“So, for the loyalists, when you sell your will to run to the principal, you hardly can dissent if he says drop off. The not so easy part of it is that close political associates of the governor found it hard to take that the governor retired a civil servant to lord over core party people who have worked and supported him over the years.”
The winner, Fubara, in an acceptance speech stated, “I don’t even know what to say. I wish I had prepared 20 years for this. I all I can say is that victory for Fubara is victory for Rivers PDP and victory for Rivers state.”
Governor Nyesom Wike said, “There nothing anybody can do about it. We have gotten a candidate and everybody has to work to support this course. Everybody should see that this how almighty God designed it. Everybody cannot emerge candidate.”
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