I’m Committed To Democracy, Dev – Wike Tells Editors

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom  Wike, has declared that his administration has surmounted  political and economic challenges to deliver quality pro-people projects and  improve  the living standard of the people of the state, adding that his commitment to development and democracy was irrevocable.
The governor stressed that the  state  would  attain greater  mileage  in terms of development,  if it is not made to  face endless rerun  elections  and politically-induced security challenges.
He spoke on Saturday during a breakfast meeting with the National Executive Council of the  Nigerian Guild of Editors led by its President, Mrs  Funke Egbemode.
The governor also led the executives of the guild on projects’ inspection tour around Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas.
Projects visited include: NBA Law Centre, Woji -Akpajo Road with bridge, Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, remodeling of Port Harcourt Civic Centre, and the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park.
Wike maintained that he remained focused because of his commitment to the development of Rivers State and his love for the people of the state.
The governor stated that he combined infrastructural development and workers’ welfare within his first year in office, because that was the way to revive the state’s economy which was battered by the immediate past administration.
He said that despite the propaganda being sponsored by the opposition, Rivers State was safe for investments and development.
He said: “It is important for everyone to know that Rivers State is safe, and is witnessing massive development.  In the next two months, we are hosting many national events. We have already hosted several national events in the last two months.
“For me as a governor, this is a privilege to serve my people, and I will give it my best shot. I am ready to lay down my life for the state. My commitment to the development of Rivers State is total. I will forever defend it.”
The governor said those planning to rig elections in the state will not succeed because the people  are ever vigilant  to stop them.
He said: “Stealing the mandate of the people is a serious crime, and it is worse than armed robbery. In this case, those involved plot to use arms to steal the mandate of Rivers people. That will never succeed. They came to rig the March 19 rerun elections and the people resisted.”
The governor  charged  the  media to work  towards  informing  the world on the true situation  in Rivers State,  pointing  out  that  majority  of  the  information in the public  domain are concocted  by the opposition.
“For our democracy to continue to succeed, the media has a major  role to play. It was publicity that led to the failure of the Turkish coup”, he said.
In an interview with journalists, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Funke Egbemode, said the leaders of the guild have been in the state for days, and they can confirm that the state is safe.
She also commended the governor for his judicious application of scarce resources for development.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors will be holding its Annual National Conference in Port Harcourt from August 3-7th.
Theme of conference is “Economic Diversification: Agriculture as Option for a Prosperous Nigeria”.