As the 2015 general elections drew near, Nigerians became more and more very impatient and irritable with the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. They said the country had stopped working and they yearned for  change.
Top on the list of all the many problems facing Nigeria and Nigerians back then was the challenge of insecurity. Parts of the North at the time had become some sort of war zone and posed a huge concern for the Federal Government. It was therefore understandable that it occupied a substantial part of the campaigns.
The then opposition and a contending force in the election captured the hearts and minds of lots of Nigerians, both home and abroad, with very strong statements about how they had capacity to decisively deal with the issues, pronto.
They promised Nigerians that irrespective of their sate, ethnicity or religion, they would make them walk on streets paved with gold. They said that they would make milk and honey drip from the sky down into the plates of Nigerians by reason of the expertise and professionalism that would be brought to bare if voted into governance.
Nigerians fell for the sweet talks and the rest is now history as the stack reality that is the lot of Nigerians today is hopelessness, lamentation and a longing for the days gone by.
However, the long night appears to be coming to an end as another general election beckons and the processes leading to the selection of  candidates to become flag-bearers for the various political parties have commenced.
Everyone of the aspirants are persons who have been tried and tested in various political positions in Nigeria in recent times and so we can say we know them and, to a reasonable extent, also know what they may be capable of doing, or saying, or supporting,  or keeping silent about.
Many among these candidates are:
1. The same old folks that supported the failed policies and programmes in these past seven years and still serving in the present administration;
2. The same ones that didn’t raise their voices to any of the practices of this present administration.
3. The same people that worked hands in gloves with the system that has landed Nigerians in this place of regret and gnaching of teeth that they have found themselves.
Thankfully, some other  aspirants do not fall in the above category and prominent among these ones is the present Governor of Rivers State,  His Excellency, NYESOM EZEBUNWO WIKE. He is a man perceived differently by different people.
Some say he is wicked. Some others say he is arrogant. And in recent times, because he has spat out truth without coating it with any sweetners, he has been adjudged as being undiplomatic. You can add the rest.
Be that as it may, one attribute that cannot be taken away from this man, Wike, is the fact that he has the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians in his heart and, so far, he is known for standing by what he says.
He has demonstrated this disposition unmistakably in his dealings with the people of Rivers State and across Nigeria, including institutions of Government. It is therefore safe to say  that he is completely detribalized.
He has established the facts and shown Nigerians that he has the knowledge and wisdom to make Nigeria work again.
Admittedly though making Nigeria work again can never be by mere proclamations or being “diplomatic” over serious issues, or praying.
Of course, prayers work but prayers cannot take the place of guided actions for the purpose of achieving a target result. Wike has been tried, tested and proven to keep promises and deliver on policies, programmes and projects effectively and efficiently without excuses.
The seamless delivery of the Wike administration in the primary duty of protection of lives and properties of Rivers people is one case in point. This is even so where Rivers State can be deemed disadvantaged as it is among the 5% states that are said to be unqualified to receive the attention of the Federal Government.
A person in a public position cannot be judged on a single item with respect to being effective or delivering dividends of governance but on the basis of the totality of the impact made on the governed. Wike is a blessing to the people of Rivers State by all measurable standards.
No one seems to have any reasonable explanations but the  state of insecurity in Nigeria was tolerable by the end of the Jonathan’s administration. Presently, security challenges have risen so drastically that it has become a high risk  to travel from one State to another state in Nigeria irrespective of the means of transportation chosen.
This trend has to be reversed. Nigeria has to be safe again and Nigeria has to begin to work and also grow again. Most importantly,  a person that will be selected to govern Nigerians as president cannot emerge by chance or lucky dip but by intentional and deliberate choice, relying on what they have been able to do in their past and   present positions.
It will be important to interrogate their contributions on the issues affecting the  Nigerian State and the positions they took on governmental affairs in the past must be taken into account.
The brightness of a piece of white cloth cannot be determined by examining it in isolation but when other whites are placed side by side. Whatever anyone may have to say about Wike, the immutable truth is that he towers high above every of his contemporary and that was before him measures up to him in performance in office. It will take only an Angel to give more excellent service in these seven years that Wike has been governor of Rivers State.
Disgruntled persons or group of persons may struggle to diminish or attempt to cast aspersions on the work Wike has done, and is still doing, in Rivers State so far. However, the facts are there to speak for themselves and no one or group can bamboozle Rivers people to contradict what they have seen, felt and experienced under the administration of Governor NyesomWike.
Without an iota of doubt, Wike has performed to the satisfaction of Rivers people, positively impacted lives and institutions around Nigeria, and therefore if he has said that he can perform in the capacity of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is only stating what is obvious and what is truth.
Wike is not only a man with a vision but he is as well on a mission and knows exactly how the vision can be achieved.  He definitely does not fall in the category of people who can say everything with their mouth but without any plans of how they can be achieved.
Wike became governor at a time when everyone said how can? It cannot happen. But it happened.  Wike has taken Rivers State and Nigeria by storm. It is a good thing and every indigene and those doing business in the state that have benefitted from his magnificent and astute management of affairs should give him all the support needed and necessary to take him to the leadership of the country.
It is expedient that we as Rivers people at this point in time reciprocate that love which Wike has shown us. We have to, as a matter of duty, from this moment, become his cheerleaders even as he goes through the process of clinching the presidential flag-bearer position for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and up till the time  he becomes victorious  at the end of the presidential race.
God bless Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike!
God bless the good people of Rivers State!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Ali is the Orlunwor of Ekpeye Ethnic Nationality.

By: Kalinwana Ali