Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has tackled Governor Ben Ayade over an alleged attempt to stop the campaign rally organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River state which he governs. 

Some PDP members had claimed that police officers acting on the directive of Ayade barricaded the entrance of Calabar Sports Club, in a attempt to stop opposition party’s campaign rally for Ogoja/Yala federal constituency and Akpabuyo state constituency bye-elections. 

Wike who spoke at the rally, applauded party members for standing against the alleged attempt to stop the rally. He also said that the PDP in Cross River would have gone into extinction if the planned rally did not hold. 

Wondering why a Governor will attempt to stop a campaign rally meant for “ordinary” federal and state constituencies, the Rivers state Governor assured PDP members in the state that the party at the national level would provide support for the state chapter more than what the Cross River government can do. 

He said; 

“When I was told that they don’t want you to hold this rally, I said this rally must hold today, and I must come. Whatever will happen, let it happen today.

“I told your leader that if you do not hold this rally today, that would have been the end of PDP. I thank God, all of you resisted it, and you said enough is enough.

“I have come here today to let you know I’m going to give you every support. Don’t be afraid. They tried it in Rivers state, we resisted them. They are trying to instigate fear in you. Don’t be afraid at all. Whatever the Cross River government can do, PDP can do it better.

“I don’t understand how a governor would for ordinary federal constituency election, ordinary state election stop them from holding a rally. When it comes to the governorship, what will happen?

“I thought as a governor with a very high budget, I thought the only way to test whether you have done well for your people — is to allow them to hold the rally and see whether people will go.

“When people don’t go, you will now know that truly my people are with me.”