2023: ‘Why We Talk About Wike’

Beyond any modicium of doubt, it is crystal clear to everyone that Nigeria is in a desperate search for the person with the right leadership qualities to save her from her present social, political and economic predicament.
In fact, some say the country has never been in such need for a leader with the requisite mix of virtues that could rescue a nation that is faced with existential threats. Many believe that it is this dire reality that has occasioned the deluge of people aspiring to be president in 2023, such as the nation has never experienced in her political history.
As the process of picking out that all important compatriot for the times reaches a cricendo,  and the mixed multitude traverse the length and breadth of the country, presenting themselves to Nigerians (to fly their party flags for now) as the ones with the right answers to the discomfiting questions of the nation, Disciple Peter Abbey told The Tide in an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt why Gov. Nyesom Wike stands out among the lot that are presenting themselves for the arduous task of rescuing the Nigerian sinking ship.
Disciple Abbey who is the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Degema Local Government Area until recently, described Gov. Wike as a developer of men and materials; a man of will that is firm and decisive to deal with the nagging security challenges of the nation; and a mabn with tested and proven capacity to transform the country in the ways that Nigerians yearn to see.
“This is why we talk of Wike. We don’t talk of Wike because we’re partisan”, he declared, arguing that given the precarious situation Nigeria finds herself at the moment, the country needs Gov. Wike who possesses the right leadership ingredients required to save her from her cataclysmic slide and return her to the path of peace, stability, growth and development on all fronts of national life.
“Let me come from a personal perspective and then we take it up. Wike afforded me as a young politician, and not just me, many of my colleagues, he has afforded us a voice”, he said, adding that Gov Wike as a mentor has maintained an unbroken relationship with his mentes and close associates throughout his political journey while deftly staying clear of situations and circumstances that could compromise his service delivery to the people in the discharge of his mandate as the chief executive of the state.
Disciple Abbey who is also the local government area coordinator of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) for Degema LGA described the number one citizen of Rivers State as one who gets angry like every other human being but does not bear grudges and is not vindictive.
“Wike is not someone that bears a grudge. The Bible says that your anger should not last overnight. So, Wike, by the grace of God, is one that will talk to you but does not put it in his mind. He is not a vindictive person”, he said.
Disciple Abbey dismissed insinuations of vindictiveness and highhandedness of a Wike presidency as unfounded allegations aimed at discrediting the high flying presidential hopeful, affirming instead that a Gov Wike leadership of Nigeria will engender inclusiveness, national cohesion and even development of parts of the country.
“He is an all inclusive person, I can tell you that. He affords you a platform to air your views, your mind, but he is firm and he is a developer.
“I’m telling you that with Wike as president, the refineries will work. He is not someone that delegates and goes to watch you from the sidelines. He will delegate and he follows up”, he said.
The LGA PDP boss noted that Gov Wike’s capacity to transform Nigeria can be seen in the way he has transformed Rivers State through the delivery of transformational projects of mass appeal to the delight of the people of the state.
He said it was significant that the governor is maintaining a dedicated commitment to keeping his promise to complete all projects started by his administration, intoning that Nigerians can trust him (Wike) to keep every promise he makes to them, just as he has faithfully delivered, and even exceeded expectations, on all the electioneering promises he made to Rivers people. So, Wike, as the president, has the capacity to transform Nigeria”.
According to Disciple Abbey, Gov Wike’s success story in the security sector in Rivers State stands him out as one who has the winning formula against all the traumatic incidences of terrorism, insurgency and sundry security challenges that are threatening to bring Nigeria to her knees.
He said, “ For some years now I have not heard a gun shot apart from ceremonial gun salute. Go to my community in the riverine, very peaceful.
“I was telling someone the other day that now when you’re walking on the road, there is no more ‘die it’ as you will hear before. You know how it used to be when you see the boys”.
He said that even though security infractions may still be heard once in a while in the state because some people can’t just do without commiting crime, the sectoral indices indicate that Gov Wike has made Rivers State a much safer and more secure place to live and do business in than when he took over as the helmsman.
“So, security wise, when he tells you he will handle the security situation in the country, I don’t doubt him. He will take the fight to them. Wike is a man of will. And we need people like him who will not be overcrowded by political cronies.
“What Wike does not do is that, no matter how close to him you are, or you felt you supported him, you cannot mortgage the people’s will where he is. You say ‘ah, I supported you, so this project don’t do, give me the money to eat’. No, Wike is not that kind of person”, he said.

By: Opaka Dokubo