PDP unveils Wike’s running mate

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Rivers State chapter, yesterday unveiled Chief Nyesom Wike’s running mate. She  is Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo  Banigo, from Degema in Kalabari area of the  state.
According to  Chief  Wike, the search for his  running  mate was long  and  thorough as  the  party was looking for a person of impeccable character, someone that has merits and experience to  occupy the position.

Wike, who was addressing  PDP members  at the party’s Campaign Headquarters,  located on Apara Road, GRA 2, Port Harcourt,  explained  that  because of the decay of  infrastructure in the state, he needed to have a deputy governor that would add value to his administration, with a view to  providing good governance for the people of Rivers State.
“The search has been concluded, she will  join us to re-fix  our state. Time has come to  increase the role  women play in Rivers politics,” he said.
“Some people may have wondered why it was taking too long for us to come out with the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for our dear Rivers State.
“Admittedly, the search has been long and thorough. We gave very deep thought and consideration to vital character traits and qualification the person should possess as the number two citizen of the state. The challenge to pick the right person was even more difficult in view of the present rot and decay in governance and infrastructure in Rivers State. As a state experiencing its lowest decadence since its creation, it became necessary to look for a fit and proper person with deep knowledge of the state’s bureaucracy and whose cognate experience would greatly add value to our programme of action.
“I am proud to announce to you that the search has ended on a glorious note as we have found one of our most treasured women as my running mate and partner. Our choice is a rare breed in servant- leadership. She is a woman of uncommon integrity and devotion to duty. She is a consummate professional and career administrator, who shares our vision of a new Rivers State. She will join us to re-fix our state.”
Chief  Wike  disclosed  that  it was  the first time,  in  the history of old and new Rivers State, that a
woman was being  given the opportunity to serve  as deputy governor. According to him, time had
come for Rivers women to occupy political positions, as against their present role in the politics of
the state. “No woman had,  had the opportunity of serving the state as a deputy governor,” he said.
He  commended  the  First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan  whose  Affirmative Action programme
saw many  Nigerian women holding  political  positions.
In her acceptance speech, the elated Dr. Banigo, who started by singing songs of praise to God,
described the  moment as a ‘new day’. She  said  she  was  pleased and honoured  to  be
nominated as Chief Wike’s  running  mate.
She described Wike as a thinker and dynamo,  the state desperately  needed  this time,  to put the state’s economy into shape. According to her,  by her acceptance,  the interest of  Rivers  people would  be  protected  better, having  served the state in various capacities.
“This is  responsibility I will not take lightly, my nomination is an honour to women in Rivers State. This is a welcome development. It is  a recognition of the commitment women have continued to make in the party.” She urged the women to embrace the gesture and vote for PDP in all the elections.
Dr  Banigo  was born on December 20, 1952, to the Harry family of Obuama in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State,
She attended Queen’s College Yaba, Lagos between 1964 and December 1968 and returned to the same institution from 1969 to 1970  for her higher school. She obtained Division One in her West African School Certificate Exam in 1968 and Distinction in the Higher School results in 1970.
She attended the University of Ibadan, University College, Hospital, where she obtained the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and thus qualified as a Medical Doctor in June 1976.
Dr Ipalibo Banigo attended first rate institutions in all her professional career. She was in Harvard University School of Public Health and obtained a Master of Public Health Degree in June 1981. She also attended the University of London, School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine where she obtained the Post-graduate Diploma in Tropical Hygiene(D.I.H) in 1990. She capped these with a Diploma in Dermatology again from London University in July 1992