Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike has boasted that only God can stop him from claiming the Peoples Democratic Party ticket to contest the 2023 presidential election.

Mr Wike, a presidential aspirant on the PDP platform, said in an interview with BBC Pigin that he would not withdraw from the presidential contest.

“The only thing that can make me step down is death. If I am alive, we will run this thing, we will hold the primary on May 28/29,” he said.

“Why will I step down for anybody? If you want to do consensus, there must be equity and fairness. Are the hands of those demanding consensus clean?

“People talking about consensus are the ones running the election. Is it the party’s decision?,” he added.

Recall that during his visit to Benin, Mr Wike stated that he would never settle for the position of vice-president as the race for the top job heats up ahead of next year.

“I’m not coming out to negotiate to be vice to anyone, I’m coming out to contest for the number one position in the country,” he had said.

The governor had also boasted earlier of being the only candidate capable of defeating the candidate of the All Progressive Congress in the election.