Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has said he would make sure his successor is someone who would defend the interest of the state.
Wike stated this during a birthday party organised for him by his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike in his private residence at Rumuepirikom, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, last Monday night.
This is even as the governor has insisted it was now obvious that the Federal Government was not interested in revitalising the nation’s economy because its programmes on stimulation of the economy have failed on all fronts.
Wike stated that if the development of infrastructure was one way to stimulate the economy, then the Federal Government’s approach to the development of such critical infrastructure should be apolitical.
Speaking at the birthday party, the governor disclosed that he had directed elders and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State to begin the search for someone with capacity and passion to defend the interest of the state to succeed him.
“I have dedicated this my birthday to make sure that whoever that is going to succeed me will be for the interest of the Rivers people, will be for the interest of the development of Nigeria.”
Wike, who narrated how he was hoodwinked to attend the birthday party that was secretly organised by his wife at his sports complex, thanked God for granting him a fruitful and eventful life.
He expressed profound gratitude to the Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Tamunominni Makinde, and other dignitaries for gracing the occasion.
The governor urged people to continue praying for God’s grace to abound to him and his family on all sides.
The wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, thanked God for His steadfast love towards Wike.
Justice Nyesom-Wike, who showered encomium on her husband, prayed God to grant him his heart desires as well as long fruitful life.
Earlier, there was a novelty football match between Teams A and B of ex-Nigerian international footballers comprising of Austin Okocha, Taribo West, Finidi George, Kanu Nwankwo, Joseph Yobo, Daniel Amokachi, Augustine Eguavoen, Victor Ikpeba, Tijani Babangida, Samson Siasia, among others.
However, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said that it was now obvious that the Federal Government was not interested in revitalising the nation’s economy because its programmes on stimulation of the economy have failed on all fronts.
The governor made the assertion at the inauguration of the Ezimgbu Road that was performed by the Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, last Monday in Port Harcourt.
Wike stated that if the development of infrastructure is one way to stimulate the economy, then the Federal Government’s approach to the development of such critical infrastructure should be apolitical.
The governor pointed to the deplorable condition of the Lagos-Ibadan Road that was so important to the nation’s economy and growth of interstate and regional business activities.
“Let me say something very clearly. When government say they want to stimulate economy and you wonder how are they going to stimulate and make the economy to grow? This morning, something came to my mind, and I said what a country is this?
“Look at a road like Lagos-Ibadan Road, which is an important road in this country, cannot be completed by the Federal Government. They bring politics and ethnicity in everything we are doing.
“So, how do you stimulate the economy when a road like that cannot be completed until now? Look at the road leading to the (Port Harcourt) Refinery, the seaport at Onne, up until now, the Federal Government cannot complete it. How do you stimulate the economy?”
Wike also noted that the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme of the Federal Government, which gives money to farmers, has not been implemented to yield desired impact.
The governor said it was not enough to go on media to announce how much has been expended in prosecuting those initiatives, if there are not commensurate evidence.
“And then you hear trillions of Naira being budgeted for, you see people talk about giving N200billion to Anchor borrowers, Anchor leaders, to anchor this and that. We have no problem about giving money to agriculture. What we are saying, having given out this money, what is the impact?
“You’re saying that we don’t want more importation, we have no problems. We are in support of it. But having stopped importation, what is the fate of the ordinary Nigerians. Is the food there? If the food is there, is it cheap?
“So, the availability is not there, the cost is high, so what is the whole meaning of encouraging our farmers to produce. The whole money you have given what is the impact it has created?
“So, we should not be deceiving people. We should tell people we are able to do this and we did it. This (federal) administration is doing nothing to improve the life of the citizens.”
Speaking further, Wike said he has told some leaders of Rivers State, who paid him a birthday visit, that the process of consultation for the next governor of the state has begun.
Wike reiterated that no candidate would be imposed on the party or Rivers people, and also urged any member of cabinet nursing governorship ambition to be at liberty to resign.
“This morning, our leaders came to me to wish me happy birthday. I told them thank you and that I also have a birthday gift for them. I told them, you know I’m leaving, now, we have to start consultation for who takes over.
“And I told them, let nobody go and spend his money because after the consultation, we will all sit down and say this is the person we think that should continue where we have stopped.
“So, the issue of who is going to take over from me, the process has started and it has stared today being my birthday. But what is important to us, like I have always said, we are not going to impose anybody.”
Wike stated that it is important that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues to ensure that elections are free and fair.
According to him, if not for the courage to rig election, why will anybody in Rivers State be gearing up to campaign for election on the platform of another party instead of the PDP, saying that whatever their plans are, they will fail.
Performing the inauguration, the Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri noted that he had always known Wike as a man who has instituted a culture of commissioning projects in Rivers State for the use of the people.
Accorded to him, it is from Rivers State, under Wike, that they have all learnt that one can deliver on multiple projects and dedicate a whole month to commissioning them.
“As recent as April this year, so many projects were commissioned in the state and today, instead of receiving birthday gifts from the Rivers people, he has decided to celebrate his birthday in a grand style by giving Rivers people a carnival of commissioning.”
In his welcome address, Chairman, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Barrister George Ariolu, congratulated Wike on the occasion of his birthday anniversary, and commended the governor for the completion of the Ezimgbu Road, which he described it as a fulfilment of project promised.
He stressed that the construction of the dual carriage road would boast businesses around the area as well as enable them gain more in terms of man-hour.
On his part, the Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Allwell Ihunda said the construction of the road was a clear demonstration of Wike’s policies to rebrand all the roads in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor, while expressing gladness over the numerous projects executed in the state.
Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Hon. Elloka Tasie-Amadi said the dualised Ezimgbu Road is 7.3meter wide on both sides with a median of 0.5meters and bordered by drains on both sides with sidewalks.
Tasie-Amadi pointed out that not only has the reconstruction of the Ezimgbu Road saved travel time for commuters, it has also afforded property owners enhanced value on their property and accessibility.