‘Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality’ – Warren Bennis.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is a living proof of the above statement made by a great philosopher, Warren Bennis. Being the Governor of Rivers State for over six years now, Wike has simply shown and is still showing that he knows and understands what it entails to be a leader. He came into governance with a vision and so far, he has been able to bring those vision to fruition.

In the history of Rivers State, massive transformation such as can be evidently seen in the areas of infrastructures, healthcare delivery, security, economic growth, education and so on, have never been recorded. No wonder the up and doing Governor has been nicknamed ‘Mr. Projects’ among many other honours bestowed on him that befits all his efforts and hardwork put in the State to make it conducive for residents who live and do business.

After much scrutiny on Wike’s pragmatic leadership style, well-meaning Nigerians and supporters came to a consensus that the hardworking Governor should step up and vie for the position of the President of Nigerian, come 2023 elections.

Fortunately, Wike heeded the call and has gone as far as picking the presidential form. This for me and all who desire a better and renewed Nigeria, would be termed as a welcome development.

Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim rightly captured the mood of Nigerians when he wrote in his recent piece, “we need a leader who will boldly, without fear or favour, do the right things, make the right calls and take the problems of the country by the scruff of the neck and deal with them comprehensively and conclusively without playing to the gallery, like a true gladiator and champion of the people in a time like this that demands national heroism.”

Currently, insecurity issues in the country are being handled lightly by the federal government. Nigerians now live in fear each day, killings, kidnapping and abductions are now top on daily Newspapers and social media headlines. Lives and properties now mean little or nothing to our leaders at the federal level.

The most appalling thing is the fact that these criminals and perpetrators roam around the streets free, carrying out their evil practices in broad daylight without appropriate authorities arresting them and allowing law take its course.

It is indeed a tragic moment for Nigerians. Our leaders at the national level have failed us woefully so, we cry out for a ‘saviour’. The only candidate who fits the description of a Nigerian saviour is Governor Wike.

According to John Maxwell, a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. Governor Wike knows what to do at every given point, he knows how to go about it and ensures he does whatever needs to be done. Infact, he can be likened to the sons of Issachar who were familiar with times and seasons.

Seeing how Wike swung into action, taking drastic measures to curb the (kpo fire) illegal crude refinery and soot menace that rocked Rivers State few months ago, we can boldly say John Maxwell’s definition of leadership has been justified. Today, Rivers people breathe in relatively fresh and clean air as opposed to the carbonated air that resulted from activities of illegal refiners.

Some Nay Sayers and propagandists would say Rivers State is not Nigeria that Wike cannot control a country as large and diversified as Nigeria. What an absurd thing to say!

Let me take us a little around the corridors of one of the realities of Nigerian politics. PDP ranks top as one of the largest political parties in the country, this party would have been in shambles just like some of her contemporaries but for Wike’s intervention, the party is still standing tall and strong.

Wike has single handedly upheld, sustained and maintained peace among members of his party across the nation.

The big question now is,
If one man can transform his state to a safe haven for investors and people living in it, do you think he would not do same and more for Nigeria if elected president?

If one man can boldly confront an issue that involved life and death (kpo fire) in his State, without fear or favour, do you think he would not do same and more for Nigeria if voted president?

If one man can successfully keep a party as large and diverse as PDP in one-piece, do you think he is not capable of doing same for the country if elected president?

I really wish Nigerians would call a spade a spade and face reality.

It is high time we considered FACTS and not FALLACIES.

I really wish Nigerians would have a rethink and make our votes count by voting the right man for the job come 2023 elections. WIKE IS THE NEW NIGERIA! WIKE IS THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB!

By: Precious Tornubari Kingsley-Anele,
Port Harcourt