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Nigeria @59: Wike Decries Faulty Electoral System After 20 Years Of Democracy …Urges Rivers Indigenes To Invest In State
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has decried the faulty electoral system in the last 20 years of the nation’s democracy, declaring that it is responsible for the poor leadership selection process.
Addressing Rivers people during the 59th Independence Anniversary at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike noted that the electoral system has been largely fraudulent, making it difficult for votes to count.
He said: “We pride ourselves as a democratic nation, yet for 20 years; our electoral process has remained widely fraudulent and incapable of delivering free and fair elections.
“Yet, we are shamefully carrying on as if all is well, resisting every attempt at providing a credible electoral system, and not minding the monumental damage this has caused and continues to cause to the character and quality of our politics, leadership recruitment and nation building”.
Wike said that this year’s anniversary of the country represents 59 years of mixed results.
According to the Rivers State governor, there are areas where the country has made significant progress, while in others it has failed woefully.
“By all accounts, it has been 59 years of mixed results; making significant strides in some respect and failing woefully in some others. Nevertheless, we have reason to celebrate this day because we have been free and will remain a free and sovereign nation forever”, he said.
Wike said that national unity, social cohesion, good governance and improved standard of living motivated Nigerians to seek Independence.
He said: “But today, it’s more like 59 years of wasted dreams, mismanaged opportunities and hope deferred for our country and our people as disunity, mutual mistrust, intolerance, hatred and violence continue to corrode the fragile walls that feebly bind the nation.
“Years and years of bad governance, endemic corruption and mismanagement have ruined our economy, ridden it with huge foreign and local debts”.
He said much as the Federal Government may pretend, it is evident that things are spiralling out of control for Nigeria.
The governor said nobody can truly see a way forward due to failed policies and lack of vision at the federal level.
The Rivers State governor noted that though the economic situation of the country may be bad, nation building remains a work in progress.
“Today offers us another opportunity to keep hope alive by standing with each other, united by a common desire to build a better, resourceful and politically vibrant, fair and peaceful Nigeria with great economic opportunities, security and improved wellbeing for all”, he said.
The governor suggested: “That the nation should embrace a political and economic system that recognises the sovereignty of the component units over their natural resources coupled with a credible electoral system to produce the right leadership culture”.
He said that Rivers State remains a leading state of the country that contributes to the financial stability and development of the country.
The governor noted that under his leadership, the Rivers State Government has promoted good governance for the development, security and empowerment of Rivers people.
“We have strengthened the institutions of governance, including the state’s Judiciary and Legislature and ensured respect for the rule of law, human rights and dignity and prudence, accountability and effectiveness in public resource utilization and service delivery. We have embraced e-governance with the digitalization of services to our people in some government departments.
“We are taking significant steps to tackle criminality and keep Rivers State safe and secure. Last month we launched the special security operations code named ‘Operation Sting’ against banditry, cultism and kidnapping across the state. Happily, the security situation has greatly improved in the last two months, thanks to the determination and efforts of the security forces to smoke and flush the criminals out of our state.
“Recognizing the importance of infrastructure for accelerated economic growth and development, we have invested heavily in the provision of infrastructure leading to the construction and reconstruction of new and existing roads and bridges across the state, including roads in rural areas of the state”, he said.
Wike assured that all the ongoing roads and proposed three flyover bridges would be completed before the end of the second term, and outlined the successes recorded by his administration in the education, infrastructure, health, security and sports sectors.
He announced the directive to the state Ministries of Education and Sports for the commencement of the annual school and youth sports festival to harness fresh sports talents.
The governor said the acquisition of 45 per cent Shell interest in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 by the state government was a step towards developing the state’s development.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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