The former Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, on Monday, challenged the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, to a debate on corruption.
Wike, who accused Amaechi of being corrupt, vowed that the governor must account for any fraudulent act while in government.
The ex-minister, who was the chief of staff to Amaechi in the past, vowed to wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress in the state.
Speaking when he visited the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt, Wike explained that he had what it would take to unseat the APC in the forthcoming election.
He said, “I’ve come to formally inform you, members of the State Working Committee and leaders of our great party of my ambition to vie for the 2015 governorship of our state on the platform of the PDP.
“As you have heard, it was for this purpose I resigned as a member of the Federal Executive Council and I believe that without you, no success can be made.
“I also have come to ask for permission to visit each of the 23 local government areas of the State with my team. I had to inform you before I proceed on such visit to ensure that we achieve our dream.”
He, however, warned against election of delegates that would betray the party at the forthcoming congresses.
Wike cautioned members of the PDP to be vigilant and resist being lured by the leaders of the opposition party in the state.
He pledged to serve as campaign manager to any aspirant, who emerged as governorship candidate at the party primaries, expressing optimism that the primary will be transparent.
In his remark, the State Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Felix Obuah, stated that the party would not impose candidates on anybody.
Reacting, the State commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said the state governor would not dignify Wike with a response.
Semenitari described Wike as a former aide to the governor, adding that even as a minister, the position of the governor was still higher.
“As a former chief of staff to the governor and later minister, Wike’s position is lower than that of a governor. So, the governor of Rivers State will not dignify him (Wike) with a response,” she said