The All Peoples Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, says it has declared a week of fasting and prayer for the emergence of the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesome Wike, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state.

APC said this evening in a statement issued in Port Harcourt: “We are aware of the opposition of some camps in the disunited party to the choice of Wike and it is our prayer for these dissenters to sheathe their sword and support Wike’s candidature if they are really interested in saving Rivers State from the diabolical influence of PDP come 2015. To ensure the emergence of Chief Nyesome Wike as the PDP flag-bearer that will formally dismantle and bury PDP as a political party in Rivers State; the APC leadership in Rivers State has declared seven days fasting and prayer for all members of APC and those who true love democracy in Rivers State in this regard.

“The fasting and prayer programme will commence on 25th March, 2014 and ends on 1st April, 2014 at the APC State Secretariat, old GRA Port Harcourt during the normal period of the weekly prayer and thanksgiving of APC Women. Evangelist Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, the Interim State Chairman of APC, Evangelist Mrs. Carol Nagbo, the APC State Women Leader, and other great men and women of God are expected to conduct the end of the fasting event. According to Evangelist Nagbo, APC is a miracle party whose mission is to dismantle every element of evil and undemocratic acts as represented by PDP from the psyche of our nation and Rivers State in particular.”

Continuing, the statement attributed to Dr. Ikanya and signed by his senior media aide, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, said: “We should not forget so soon that PDP is a party whose hatred for Rivers State is legendary and anything that is lawful and spiritual to stop such an undemocratic party from Brick House is an effort in the right direction and allowing an unsellable candidate like Chief Wike as the party’s flag-bearer is one of the ploys we will exploit as a party to achieve this. PDP has ensured that the State’s funds dwindle by ceding our Soku oil wells to Bayelsa and others to Abia State. It has also ensured that the state lacks any sign of Federal Government presence by way of projects, besides promoting insecurity in the state. Anything that would contribute to see to the total annihilation of such an evil party from Rivers State is a welcome development and one of the quickest ways to ensure the quick death of the party in the state is to allow Chief Wike to clinch the party’s ticket for the 2015 guber election.

“The fact remains that Chief Wike, who has spearheaded PDP-led Federal Government’s onslaught against Rivers State, has lost political value in the state. Most of the people that made him tick politically have since deserted him to APC while some hungry loafers are massaging his ego just to enable them have a meal at his expense.

“Apart from Wike’s political baggage, another major factor counting against him is that he comes from the Ikwerre axis where the current Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, also comes from. With Governor Amaechi spending eight years as Executive Governor of Rivers State by 2015, it will amount to political slavery of other sections of Rivers State to allow another Ikwerre man to be elected Governor come 2015 and as a just political party we will not allow such blunder to happen no matter the odds.

“We wish to reassure the good people of Rivers State that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a party founded on equity, justice and fair play that came on board to effect the much-needed change both in the State and in the entire Nigeria. In this regard, we have told our Ikwerre brothers interested in contesting the 2015 gubernatorial election to sacrifice their ambition in the spirit of equity, justice and fair play and allow other sections of the State to have a shot at the Brick House. In this regard, we intend to present to the State, at the appropriate time, a well qualified candidate that will not only improve on the wonderful works that Governor Amaechi has been doing in the state but, indeed, surpass it!”

•Photo shows PDP governorship hopeful, Chief Wike.