Gov Wike: Leader Chosen From The Crowd

History was  made in Nigeria on October 21, 2022 as the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari bestowed the “Distinguished Award in Infrastructural Delivery” upon our visionary leader in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike .
This Award,variously described as apt, timely and well, deserved by the President of the Federal Republic has made naysayers concur with the indisputable fact that Governor Wike is truly the Mr. Quality Projects of  Nigeria. It  has his name to find an honourable place in history as a politician Chosen from the crowd.
Without a doubt, therefore , when the Nigerian political history is documented, vis-a-vis the gladiators that shaped the course in this dispensation, one politician whose contributions can not be undermined or wished away is His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike, Political Lion of Nigeria, aka Mr. Quality Projects of Nigeria.
Regardless of the political difference with the centre as one of the most committed leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the main opposition party in Nigeria, there is agreement of minds by Nigerians that this unique personality has truly paid his dues, hence, his modest but remarkable success in the murky waters of Rivers and Nigerian politics.
His uncommon courage, exceptional zeal, unparalleled determination and strong political will, have seen him through many battles. Paying glowing tribute to this illustrious and patriotic Nigerian and political icon can never be out of place, no matter what cynics would think. I am fully persuaded as many other free-minded society watchers and political commentators that this political colossus of our time has contributed his quota to the growth and development of humanity and should not be denied the attendant encomiums and accolades that go with it.
The Nigerian media often wrongly measure the capacity and potentials of emerging political players on the national scene by their flamboyance in dress, manner of speech and, many times, where they come from. In this way, they (media) miss the substance, the essence and the (political players) positive impact in national development.
There is no gainsaying the fact that the media wield some power in perception engineering and they have often used this power to great effect. However, there is no doubt that the image the media create for some Nigerians in politics can be said to be contorted and needs to be corrected or modified after close encounters with such individuals, especially, in their performance in public office.
One of such characters whose personality is eminently deserving of appropriate description as a superlative performer upon a closer scrutiny is that of His Excellency,  Chief (Barr.) Ezenbuwo Nyesom Wike, the Executive Governor of Rivers State.
To say the least, this political iroko is going to leave a very large sized shoes for his successor to wear come 2023. Indeed, successive administrations after his must be humble enough to learn and borrow a leaf from his God-given wisdom  to perform with higher acceleration for book makers to include them in the records  of Rivers State as having performed as well.
Political pundits, public commentators and analysts are in agreement in different discussion groups and forums locally, nationally and internationally, that there has never been any administration in Rivers State, since the advent of democracy, that has the number of legacy or signature projects like the present one under our  indefatigable Governor.
In his eight years tenure as  Rivers State governor, Chief Wike has touched the lives of the people positively through special and outstanding projects whose impact will continue to be felt for many years to come – projects which will transcend into generations for a memorial of his vision, thoughtfulness and sincerity of purpose.
Tenures of political offices may be transient but the memory of those who occupy them could be indelibly etched in the sands of time through the delivery of projects of definitive significant value to the people. Such projects provide special spaces for the personality in the people’s Book of Records.
This is why Governor Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike will be remembered like His Majesty, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, Bayelsa State, the first Military Governor of Old Rivers State, who built the Rivers State Secretariat Complex, one of his legacy projects,  during his rule some decades ago.
On his part, Governor Wike has undertaken numerous transformational projects like the building of 12 flyovers in different locations in the state capital; the establishment of three satellite campuses of the Rivers State University in Etche, Emuoha and Ahoada; construction of the Sakpenwa – Bori Road that cuts through Tai, Gokana and Khana Local Government Area, linking Andoni  and Opobo-Nkoro which has been the subject of campaign promises  since 1960; the 10.2 kilometres road that cuts through Tai, Eleme, Oyigbo and Port- Harcourt Local Government Areas that had been abandoned for over 50 years; establishment of the Port Harcourt Campus of the Law School; the construction of the Trans Kalabari Road, to mension but a few.
In addition, Governor Wike has elevated women to political limelight in Rivers State, nay in Nigeria, as he did not only stick with a female Deputy Governor throughout the duration of his governorship but also ensured that all the 23 Local Government Areas, without an exception, had women as Vice Chairmen. He as well secured the Supreme Court judgment that finally returned the disputed Oil Wells to the State and gave Rivers State national political relevance and visibility going into the 2023 general elections as no other governor in history has ever done.
Although I have not had any close encounters with him, I can testify by reason of fact, that  his substance and  essence as a very strong political performer, strategist, grassroots mobiliser and communicator were missed daily by the media  in his assessment. These qualities have been on display consistently since his emergence in the Nigerian political landscape without commensurate recognition and celebration by the media.
His Excellency, Governor Wike has demonstrated an undeniable ability to accurately gauge the political pulse of the nation and decisively act to derive maximum political benefit and capital from it, thus contributing strategically to keep himself and  the state relevant in elections today and years ahead.
This astute political communicator and grassroots mobiliser is also an apt testimony of his prowess in striking correct cord with women participation in politics by including them in his administration and working together to add value to themselves as well as to use  their large numbers to their advantage during political activities.
This irreducible political colossus of our time has all it takes to lead the nation to its Eldorado some day.

By: Odinaka Osundu
Mr. Osundu, Public Affairs Commentator, resides in Port Harcourt.