As a sign that the 2023 elections will be filled with surprises, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who is a strong member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assured his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, that his solidly behind him, with full support for his re-election, an indication that Wike has abandoned the Lagos PDP gubernatorial candidate, Olajide Adediran, popularly called Jandor,

Wike, who expressed satisfaction with Sanwo-Olu’s performance, said that the governor deserves another term in office, so as to complete projects and programmes his administration initiated in the state.

Speaking on Tuesday during the ongoing 2022 Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) conference held in Victoria Island, Wike said that his counterpart’s performance was one worth to be emulated and all that he had discovered in Lagos would be replicated in Rivers.

“By the grace of God, you will be a 2nd term governor. Lagos State is doing better than other states in this country because Lagos has allowed women to participate in governance in various capacities. I am very happy to participate in this conference. I don’t play politics of ethnicity. Even if Sanwo-Olu is at my party but is not doing well, I wouldn’t have come. I do not regret saying I am in support of you, ” Wike added.

The Rivers governor commended Sanwo-Olu for giving women the opportunity to serve in various capacities, especially the judiciary, where they served as Chief Judges.

While disclosing that his administration emulated Lagos’ strategy, ensuring women serve as deputy governor in 2015 as no woman has ever served in that capacity since the state was created many years ago.

The governor said: “The 22 local governments in Rivers have women serving as Vice Chairmen, to ensure gender equality in governance across the state.