Prior to the 2023 general election, the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, vowed that the state would vote against any candidate who did not acknowledge its political potential.
This comes as Wike has emphasized that he is currently in complete control of the state and that he will not back anyone for governor of Rivers State who has robbed the state’s coffers.The announcement was made by the governor yesterday in Port Harcourt at the opening of the Orochiri-Worukwo (Waterlines junction) Flyover by the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Governor Wike claims that the mechanics of modern politics have made it unpopular to just give votes away without the promise of tangible benefits for the populace.He said: “If you say Rivers State does not matter, Rivers State will tell you that you don’t also matter at the appropriate time. If you don’t like us, we will not like you. If you like us, we will like you.
“Nobody will use our votes for nothing. Our votes will matter, and Rivers State must benefit from anybody that we are going to support.“
Politics now is no longer just vote for somebody; it is about what you will do for the people of Rivers State.”Wike emphasized how challenging it will be for anyone to change Rivers State’s voting trend and support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He added: “My guest from Lagos State let nobody tell you story that anybody will come here to win as governor of Rivers State. It will not happen!”On the treasury of the state, he warned that: “Those who looted the treasury of the state will not come here to be governor of Rivers State, and I have challenged them.“
“I am fully in charge. I am not that kind of governor people will go to Abuja and hold meetings against. I am fully in charge here,” he said.
Governor Wike also urged those who were critical of his efforts to advance development to demonstrate their own abilities by carrying out projects and inviting notable individuals to dedicate them.He clarified that people from various political parties had previously been asked to launch projects in Rivers State, making the governor of Lagos State’s request nothing new.
The governor of Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu, inaugurated the seventh Flyover and praised Wike for his dedication to constructing physical infrastructure in Rivers State.
Sanwo-Olu said: “I would like to specially commend my brother, Governor Wike, for his strong commitment to the delivery of physical infrastructure in Rivers State, a commitment that has been recognised by all and sundry, and which has earned him the appellation of ‘Mr. Projects’ within and outside Rivers State.”
According to Governor Sanwo-Olu, the invitation sends a very strong message that politicians and political leaders may come together across political and ideological differences for the sake of the people, even though they are of different political persuasions.
“There is also a strong message being made today about expanding our capacity to play politics without bitterness. This symbolic gesture by my friend and brother is one that should become standard practice across Nigeria.
“There is also a lot that we can learn from one another, and experience that we can translate from one part of the country to the other,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu added: “Ultimately, we are all in governance to touch the lives of the people for good, and to deliver to them the dividends of democracy. There is no doubt that Governor Wike has spent his last seven years focused on this, just as we have similarly been doing in Lagos State.”
