Wike Lauds Obuah As Rivers PDP Gets New Exco

Former Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea, Desmond Akawor has been elected as the new Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State.

This is as the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike called on Nigerians to mount pressure on the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to ensure credible elections in 2023.

Ambassador Desmond Akawor was elected by PDP Delegates during the PDP State Elective Congress at the Obi Wali Cultural Centre in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

The New Rivers State Working Committee will assume office in May 2020, when the second term of Bro Felix Obuah comes to an end.

Rivers State Governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,  PDP National Chairman,  Prince Uche Secondus, National and State Assembly members joined other party delegates to vote during the State Elective Congress.

Akawor takes over from Bro Felix Obuah,  who served out his two terms as Rivers State PDP Chairman,  leading the party to electoral victories in 2015 and 2019.

The Rivers State PDP Congress was marked by strict observation of the coronavirus medical preventive measures, as medics were on ground to run temperature checks on delegates as well as apply hand sanitizers on them. For now, Rivers State has no confirmed case of coronavirus.

The accreditation of delegates and the voting process for all the officials of the new State Executive Committee went on peacefully.  The Ward and Local Government Congresses were conducted across the State without rancour.

In a remark, Outgoing Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah thanked the Rivers State Governor for his support that helped the party to be successful in the last six years.

Chairman of Rivers State PDP Elective Congress Panel, Senator Sam Anyanwu said that 39 Party positions were listed, with 39 officials picking forms for each of the post. The entire 39 officials were elected unopposed.

PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus voted first, while Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was the second delegate to cast his ballot. Former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, Former Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru, National and State Assembly members proceeded to cast their votes.

Delegates from the 23  Local Government Areas of the State thereafter cast their votes in alphabetical order.

Senator Anyanwu announced that that Ambassador Desmond Akawor polled 2908 to emerge victorious as the Rivers State PDP Chairman. 

Until his election as Rivers State PDP Chairman,  he has been the Administrator, Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA) .

Other major officials elected at the State Elective Congress were: Mr Chukwuemeka Aaron, Deputy Chairman and Secretary , Benibo George, Financial Secretary, Shedrach Chukwu, Publicity Secretary, Sydney Gbarah, State Legal Adviser, Barr Kingsley Chukwu and  State Woman Leader, Mrs Miriam Ogbonna.

Others are:  State Youth Leader, Ikpechi Oriji, , Assistant Youth Leader, Mrs Joy Oyaghiri-Fagbemi, State Auditor, Philip Onyeche, State Treasurer, Barrister Blessing Amadi and State Organising Secretary, Kagbang Offis.

In his acceptance speech, Rivers State PDP Chairman, Ambassador Desmond Akawor commended the Rivers State Governor for creating the platform for peaceful congress in the state.

He said Governor Wike has been a worthy ambassador of the PDP through his superlative performance since 2015.

Governor Wike urged the new State Working Committee of Rivers State PDP not to lower the standard of performance set by the outgoing State Executive. He appealed to the incoming State Chairman to apply his wealth of experience to sustain the party.

The Governor praised the outgoing Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah for his commitment to the growth of PDP and his total loyalty to the leadership in the state.

He said: “Loyalty is not by mouth, showing appearance or seeing the Governor regularly.  Loyalty is by conduct and the things you do at the back.”

“He stood firm, despite all temptations.  Since he became chairman, he has never waivered.  He has never sabotaged the State Government and the party.

PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus said that the State Congress was a transparent process that threw up new State Working Committee in Rivers State.

He called for electoral reform ahead of the 2023 General Elections to avoid further electoral mandate.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG