*The former education minister told to step down by 5 January

Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party has up till 5 January to withdraw the candidacy of Mr. Nyesom Wike, as the party’s torch bearer in the oil rich Rivers State state or forget dreams of winning the 28 February governorship election.

The Elders and Leaders council in the State issued the ultimatum today.

It was conveyed by the chairman of the group, Mr. Albert Horsfall.

Horsfall, who was a former DG of the State Security Services and the former Chairman of Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, (OMPADEC) now (NDDC), Mr Albert Horsfall, told President Jonathan to advise Mr Wike to step down.

Horsfall said the PDP risked losing the state if he did not withdraw as the people of the state would vote candidates of political parties that presented riverine candidates as their governorship.

He stressed that no amount of money or inducements would sway the people of the state to succumb to what he described as injustice and slavery for the next 50 years.

The elders and leaders are from all the 23 local government areas in Rivers State.

Incumbent governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi is from the upland area of the state,like his predecessor, Peter Odili.

The APC’s candidate, Dakuku Peterside is from Bonny, a riverside town.