By Dapo Akinrefon

THE Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has faulted remarks by a former Nigerian security Chief, Chief Albert Horsfall, demanding that its governorship candidate for the 2015 general elections, Mr Nyesom Wike, to step down as the party’s governorship candidate.

The party said such utterances amounted to day-dreaming as such was against democratic principles.

Reacting to a statement credited to Chief Horsfall that Wike should be asked to step down or do so on his own within seven days, the party said: “Such remark is laughable and not achievable because directing or not directing elected candidates to proceed or not to proceed with their election mandate is not the responsibility of the party or any of its leaders.”

In a statement by Jerry Needam, Special Adviser, on Media to the state PDP Chairman, Mr. Felix Obuah, the party appealed to Rivers State indigenes to discountenance the call.

He said: “The party, as it is well known on December 8, 2014, conducted a well televised free and fair governorship primaries in the state, where all legitimately elected and accredited delegates from across the 23 local government areas of the state participated and which produced Chief Wike as the winner with a total of 1,083 votes, and was, therefore, declared the standard bearer of the PDP governorship ticket in Rivers State.

“This was a great and commendable feat that the party made and will continue to uphold Wike, the winner of the primaries, until the final victory is achieved in 2015 general elections.

“It is, therefore, unthinkable and malicious for any one particularly, Chief Horsfall, who claims to be interested in the peace, security and development of Rivers State, to contemplate acting against the popular choice and judgment of the people.”

It noted that “this latest action of Chief Horsfall, however, is not received by the party as a bolt from the blue, as he has over the period, conducted himself as a paid agent of the All Progressives Congress, APC, which obviously he is.”