2023: Wike Expresses Only Regret After Losing PDP Presidential Ticket

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has opened up on his regret while making a veiled reference to losing out on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket for 2023 which ruled him out of the possibility of emerging the next President of Nigeria.

Speaking on Tuesday, Wike who lamented the dearth of committed leaders in Nigeria revealed that he regrets not having the opportunity to deal with bandits, terrorists and other criminals operating in the country.

Naija News reports he expressed his mind while speaking during the commissioning of the dualised Ogbunuabali-Eastern bypass road in Rivers State.

Wike who lost the PDP ticket to Atiku Abubakar however said he will continue to serve the people of Rivers State with passion because of his commitment to the people.

In his words, “I challenge everybody. The problem we have in this country today is that we don’t have people who have that passion, who want to serve their people.

“The only regret I have is that I don’t have the opportunity to tell bandits ‘enough is enough’. If I have the opportunity, the bandits know their time will be gone. It’s unfortunate I don’t have it.

“But this one I have, I will use it and serve my people so that they will be happy and know that they deserve the best.”

Wike’s loss at the PDP presidential primaries is understood to have created a gulf between him and the leadership of the party.

The eventual emergence of Ifeanyi Okowa as the PDP vice presidential candidate has further widened the gap.

Though there have been calls and moves for reconciliation, particularly between Wike and Atiku ahead of the 2023 polls, it is understood that so far, the efforts have not been successful.

This has given rise to speculations that the Rivers Governor may not support Abubakar in his quest to emerge as the next president of Nigeria.