Rivers State Governor and presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nyesom Wike, has told members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to give him the presidential ticket as payback for his effort to bring them to office.

He addressed the party national leadership in Abuja on Tuesday to formally request their support in his bid to become its flagbearer, expressing his preparedness to be president as he noted that it is time for the party officials to repay him for the good he did to them.

Wike said: “So, it is important I take this opportunity and let you know that I am prepared. Psychological, mentally and in all aspects am very much prepared.

“So, let us not waste time. Go and tell our people that you have seen the right person and the right person is Wike.

“So, it is important you do the campaign for me, that was how I did it for you too.

“When I was fighting the former NWC, some of you were supporting them. Now all of you are here.

“One good turn deserves another. So you people should also payback. Because you didn’t go to campaign, but now am coming to campaign. So payback.

“But please do us the favor to conduct a free and fair election, that will be an advantage for us to win in 2023.”

The Rivers governor flaunted his credentials as a true party man who lived through its trials and tribulations to save it why some people abandoned the main opposition party.

He added: “I am full committed member of this party. I entered this party in 1998 when it was formed. This party has given me everything in life and I have never abandoned this party because of one grievance or the other.

“When it was looking like PDP would go down, I was one of those who stood firm and made sure that PDP did not go down. In essence. Whether I get the ticket or not, I have no other place to run to other than the PDP because it is not if I don’t get the ticket, then I will move to another party. No! You fight in the house, you settle yourself.”

Wike stated that the PDP needs people like him who can withstand the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying: “PDP requires people like us to face APC. Everybody in this country knows me because of my views on national issues. Nobody can say I don’t know whether Wike will do this or do that. When I see issues, I say my view and I am not going to run away from it.