There is a meeting point for all Nigerians irrespective of political, religious, economic and social persuasion. Everyone has agreed that Governor Wike is Nigeria’s best performing governor. On this, the facts speak for themselves.
It was Igwe 2pac who popularised the phrase: “I deserve some accolades “. In Rivers State, the people have since practicalised this phrase. They have showered Governor Wike with accolades in the last three years in response to his outstanding developmental strides.
It was in appreciation of Governor Wike’s superlative performance that Rivers people stood their ground during the legislative rerun and stopped the trio of APC Federal Government, Police and INEC from stealing their mandate. As I write, Governor Wike has been endorsed for a second term by all the ethnic nationalities of Rivers State. There is no greater accolade than the appreciation of the people.
On the premise of his performance, Governor Wike has received state, national and international awards. The recognition keeps rolling in. Governor Wike has raised the bar and the world has taken notice.
However, whenever these accolades are showered on Governor Wike, Rivers APC relapse into panic mode. They immediately adorn the lying robe . They respond by issuing false and meaningless press statements.
It was the same after Vice President Osinbajo christened Governor Wike “Mr Projects “. When Vice President Osinbajo was to visit to commission three projects, Rivers APC cried wolf. They issued a press statement wherein they told the Vice President that if he commissioned the projects, APC would die in Rivers State. The Vice President eventually visited, but could only commission one project because the exercise was truncated by panic-stricken Rivers APC.
When Governor Wike bagged the United Nations Environment supported “Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award “ at the UN Headquarters, Rivers APC wrote a formal petition to the organisers. They prayed for the withdrawal of that award. The organisers stood their ground because they were convinced by the remarkable projects delivery of Governor Wike.
They have done that each time Governor Wike gets recognition for redefining governance in the face of the brutal failure of the APC Federal Government.
Therefore, I was not surprised when Rivers APC displayed their character on a day that Governor Wike was enthroned Businessday Newspaper Governor of the Year in faraway Abuja .
This is a crude form of politicking by Rivers APC is a face saving measure to mask their frustration due to the worldwide acceptance of Governor Wike as Nigeria’s best performing governor.
My attention was drawn to a senseless Press Statement credited to the murder-tainted Factional Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, wherein he attempted to cast aspersions on the person of His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (CON, GSSRS, POS (Africa) for owning a country home in his home local government area (Obio/Akpor LGA).
It is unfortunate that a notorious murder suspect would use his very low standard to judge others.
Every resident of Rivers State knows, as was admitted by the murder suspect in his press statement that the House in question was built long before His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike became Governor of Rivers State. The same residence has been renovated and upgraded.
Unlike the leaders of the discredited faction of Rivers APC, Governor Wike is a firm believer in the development of Rivers State, hence his residence is in the state. On the other hand, Ojukaye’s principal and indicted Former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has his multi-billion naira houses in Abuja, Lagos and Ghana. He has no home in Rivers State despite being Speaker and Governor for 16 years. He has no faith in Rivers State, except what he benefits from the state.
The houses owned by Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi includes Osborne Towers located at 16 Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, where Rivers looted funds made of foreign currencies and naira notes to the tune of $43.4m, £27,800 and N23.2m were uncovered.
Contrary to the false allegations contained in the statement, Governor Wike runs a prudent and accountable administration which has transformed Rivers State. It will be recalled that Governor Wike inherited a looted empty treasury from the immediate past failed Amaechi administration, but revived the state through judicious management of resources .
The governor inherited four months unpaid salaries and six months pensions from the failed Amaechi administration, which he settled. Since then, payment of salaries and pensions have been regular. The Rivers State Government through sound financial management paid June 2018 salaries and pensions without the Monthly Allocation from the Federation Account.
Governor Wike’s superlative performance has become a nightmare to the three factions of the APC in Rivers State. Their only source of relevance is to generate and circulate lies against the Rivers State Governor.
The dead APC in Rivers State has been overwhelmed by the outstanding developmental strides of Governor Wike. The commissioning of over 30 mega-projects and the flag off of the construction of more projects across the three senatorial districts of the state have shocked the factions of Rivers APC into delirium . Therefore, the incoherent statement by the troubled APC Faction is expected.
Instead of issuing baseless false statements , the time has come for Ojukaye Flag Amachree to face his trial. Without doubt, Ojukaye is healthy enough to face his trial.
Nigerians from all walks of life appreciate Governor Wike’s delivery of quality projects and programmes for the good of Rivers people. Today, Rivers State is the envy of other states. It has surpassed all APC states. If the APC Federal Government can even attain 50 percent of Governor Wike’s achievements in terms of comparative resource-application, Nigerians would have been celebrating.
