By Jimitota Onoyume

GOVERNOR Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State, yesterday, declared that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, existed today because of the investment and commitment of South-South members and leaders of the party.

This came as former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed optimism that the PDP would come out stronger from its national convention where national leaders of the party would be elected.

Wike

Governor Wike urged the PDP from other zones to extend their gratitude to leaders and members of the PDP from the South-South for their commitment to the survival of the PDP.

The governor, who spoke at the PDP Zonal Congress in Port Harcourt, said: “If PDP leaders and members from the South-South were not committed, there wouldn’t have been PDP today. It is important that PDP members from other zones of the country congratulate South-South PDP members for their steadfastness when PDP  was in crisis.“

He urged PDP members from the South-South to remain resolute in their support for the growth of the party.

He said: “We are going as a family and we will continue to work as a family.   We will not allow any external force to divide the South-South.   We will continue to be together “.

Speaking, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson said: “We are in very trying times. We are in opposition, facing a very fierce and ruthless government at the Federal level. This is a time the governors need your support.“

Similarly, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio said for the stability  of PDP, it was necessary for the next Chairman  to come from the South-South .

“It is important  we stabilise  the PDP. That is why we need a Chairman of PDP from the South-South,“ he said.

Also, former External Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, said the PDP could not afford to allow the South-West produce the chairman because it was prone  to crisis.

National Vice Chairman of PDP, South-South, Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, said the South-South  would work with other   zones to strengthen the party.

The congress attracted PDP leaders from all the six states of the zone.

Meanwhile, former President Goodluck Jonathan who spoke in Government House, Port Harcourt, assured that with elected executives in place they would be better positioned to drive the party effectively with all the backings of the constitution.

“You  know we have a Caretaker Committee.  When  you have a Caretaker Committee, you are not as strong as a fully elected chairman. The party passed through some challenges.  Luckily for us, we have  passed through  that phase with the pronouncement of the Supreme Court. God willing, we will go through the National Convention and the party will become solid,” he said.