Secondus Not PDP Member, Can’t Speak For Party – Wike
The Evangelist
December 25, 2022
The estranged former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has been warned to desist from speaking on behalf of the party because he had been expelled from the party.
Throwing more light on this, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike explained that Secondus is not a member of the PDP and therefore, cannot speak either for or interfere in the affairs of the party.
Governor Wike described Secondus as a meddlesome interloper because he had been expelled as a member of PDP by his ward in Andoni, an action that was affirmed by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The governor stated this at the inauguration of the Aluu- Omagwa Link Road that was held at Omuagubia playground by Cross Junction, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area on Saturday.
“I read the newspaper this morning where a former member of our party, one Uche Secondus said that no one man can impose a presidential candidate on Rivers people.
“He is not a member of our party. His ward expelled him from the party. The court confirmed it. He went to the Court of Appeal, but he lost. He went to Supreme Court, the matter is coming up on October 23, 2023.”
Governor Wike continued, “I told him, you will not be national chairman to conduct the convention. Did he conduct it? Was he at the national convention? Up until now, you are not a member of our party.
“The governor stated this at the inauguration of the Aluu- Omagwa Link Road that was held at Omuagubia playground by Cross Junction, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area on Saturday.
“I read the newspaper this morning where a former member of our party, one Uche Secondus said that no one man can impose a presidential candidate on Rivers people.
“He is not a member of our party. His ward expelled him from the party. The court confirmed it. He went to the Court of Appeal, but he lost. He went to Supreme Court, the matter is coming up on October 23, 2023.”
Governor Wike continued, “I told him, you will not be national chairman to conduct the convention. Did he conduct it? Was he at the national convention? Up until now, you are not a member of our party.
“And in any case, I never said I was going to impose my candidate on Rivers people. I said I was going to tell Rivers people who I am going to support. Who I am going to campaign for. But don’t blame them, when you didn’t finish secondary school, you will not understand the grammar.”
Governor Wike emphasized that, in any case, Rivers people will listen to him more than Secondus because they can trust him as a leader who will continue to defend the interest of the state.
“So, Mr Secondus, I have no problem with you being a technical adviser to Atiku. But don’t speak on behalf of the PDP, Rivers State because you are not a member of our party.”
Governor Wike asserted that it is not surprising that Secondus, beclouded by his half education, preferred a poorly educated candidate, Senator Lee Maeba, to have emerged as Senator over Senator Magnus Abe, a more educated Rivers son.
The governor recalled how Secondus and his cohorts, now christened Abuja Rivers politicians, had always tried to circumvent his political intentions but failed.
The governor said he has no apology for unsettling the so-called Abuja politicians when the party structure was taken over by him in 2013 while beating them into joining with him because there was no other choice left for them.
“What most of you didn’t know is that all these people who run away to Abuja, they’ve never worked with us. I led the team that kicked them out of office in 2007. Yes, I have no apology for that.
“In 2014, in spite of the fact I was the one who fought for the structure of the party, most of them sabotaged me at the back to run for governor against me. When they saw there was no hope, there was nothing else for them to do, they had no choice but to come and join us.”
Governor Wike observed that in their usual manner, they regrouped against him and clandestinely supported one of them to become the governorship flag bearer of PDP in the State for the 2023 general election but were frustrated.
The Rivers State governor listed that he embarked on a legal battle to reclaim Rivers State ceded oil wells to Imo State and Bayelsa States and today proceeds from them are received by Rivers State.
Governor Wike also mentioned the ongoing legal battle over the illegality of VAT collection by the federal government when it should be collected by the State.
The legal battle over the deduction of Rivers State fund for the Police Trust Fund was won in favour of the State including the foiling of the attempt made to illegally abduct Mrs Joi Nunieh, who though, is not one of his political supporters, was protected because she is a Rivers.
