The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has given reasons behind his decisions inviting some political gladiators in the country to commission various projects in the state.
The project, which was inaugurated by Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Tuesday, is expected to accommodate about 132 occupants when completed.
Wike had earlier this month invited Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and Aliyu Wammako of Sokoto to commission various projects by his administration.
In his remarks, Governor Sanwo-Olu during the commissioning of Orochini Woruwko (waterlines) flyover in Port-Harcourt said, “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.
“Ultimately, we are all in governance to touch the lives of the people for good; 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.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu added: “This Orochiri-Worukwo (Waterlines) Flyover is just one of several impactful projects that the Rivers State Government has delivered over the last seven years, under the watch of His Excellency. I am told that there are around a dozen major flyover projects in all, completed and ongoing, and I am also aware that there are still many other projects across various sectors, which will be duly commissioned within the life of this administration.
The new Flyover being commissioned today, as you can all see, is a design and implementation masterpiece, at almost a kilometer long, and a total of eight (8) lanes, supported by a robust flood-control system and underground drainage. Governor Wike is very much a “Talk and Do” Governor.”
Four days later, Governor Wike hosted Gbajabiamila to commission Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters where he eulogized the governor for the great things he’s doing in the state.
Gbajabiamila urged Wike to choke PDP as the Governor alleged that those whom he planned with to work against Gbajabiamila when seeking to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives are the ones who betrayed him
Reacting to the claim by the governor, the number four man in the country said: “Let me start by thanking the governor, my friend and brother, that a confession has been known to all forever that you plotted against me.
“It is the irony of life and indeed very interesting, the twist of fate, that those who he sat with to plot against me are the same people who sat together at your primary to plot against you.
“So, plotting is not necessarily a new thing in politics but what is constant is that in politics, there are no permanent enemies, there are no permanent friends, but what you have is permanent interest.
“And by God’s grace, this one that you have started, the journey that you have started that you and I both know, shall be permanent. Please choke them. I said choke them.
Wammako on his own, commended Wike for his developmental strides in Rivers.
He said, “I have seen what you can do, what you have done and I believe that you have the capacity to do more. Having said that, let me repeat again that Governor Wike, you are very dynamic, very courageous and talk and do governor of Rivers State.”
Speaking on Tuesday, Governor Wike advised those who have taken it upon themselves talking about him everyday to face their state and make sure that they win their states for PDP rather than appearing on TV to discuss him.
“Some of you, those you rate, you won’t even buy them for a naira. At the appropriate time, I will tell you who they are; the kind of characters we are talking about – people will speak here today, and tomorrow, they will say a different thing. I begin to wonder is it this leader that spoke to me last night? It is very unfortunate,” Wike said.
“Wike and his team are busy here bringing down all structures of APC, providing dividends of democracy. In your own state, you are only talking about Wike,” he added.
“Anywhere any true Rivers man is, you must show that you are important, you must show that you have something to offer and not to do houseboy, we don’t belong to the houseboys; we are not known to be that.
“So, all of you, continue to show that you are not a second-class citizen in any state or any zone,” he added.
“I and my team are busy commissioning projects here and there in Rivers State while some people are busy talking about Wike. They will hear from us soon, we are not tired.
“You go to Channel, TVC, Arise TV just to talk about Wike. Leave Wike alone.”
Reacting to the former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi’s statement on Channels TV, Wike urged Makarfi to focus on delivering his state for the PDP.
Makarfi had on Tuesday morning on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily said Wike should not take any decision in anger.
But responding, Wike challenged the former PDP national chairman to ‘Operation Deliver Your Polling Unit’ and ‘Operation Deliver Your Local Government’.
Wike said, “This morning I was watching television when I saw a former acting chairman of the party, Ahmed Makarfi, and he said he is very close to me but I don’t know how close he is to me. I don’t know when last we spoke. I’ve never spoken to him for the past five months. So, if you are close to somebody politically, there is no how you won’t have spoken to the person.
“What I want to advise Makarfi is: Look you have a job, make sure PDP wins Kaduna State. Leave Wike. Make sure PDP wins in Kaduna State, I don’t want to hear excuses.”
Governor Wike further revealed that Chief Olabode George, Governor Ikpeazu of Abia would soon be in the state to commission projects.
He added that he decided to invite personalities in APC and PDP to Rivers State just for them to see the wonders he is doing in the state.
“Come and see what I’m doing in Rivers State and stop moving up and down because of Wike.
“Those we have invited and those that are still coming are coming here to see wonders.
“Come and see with your eyes and not 3D.”