From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Governor Nyesom Wike has said it was absurd for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to demarket Rivers State as unsafe, and yet want the people to vote for him in Saturday’s election.
The governor has declared that Rivers voters will cast their votes on the February 25 presidential election for the candidate trusted to be a unifier and committed to the unity of Nigeria.
Speaking at Ogbakiri junction in Emohua Local government Area, the venue of the flag-off of the reconstruction and dualisation of Emohua Road to Abalama/Tema Junction, governor Wike said nothing can dissuade him and Rivers voters from the decision they have taken to that effect.
The Rivers governor said the people summoned and addressed by the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar in Abuja over the weekend, are not true Rivers State citizens.
He said, If such people claim they are truly from the state, he challenged them to return home and be addressed by the presidential candidate as such.
Governor Wike described as unacceptable such summoning of people who have made themselves non-indigenes in Abuja.
According to him, it is an insult to Rivers and its people for anyone who is seeking their vote to summon them for a meeting outside of the state.
In categorical terms, Governor Wike stated that if the PDP presidential candidate could not come to Rivers and address the people because he has labelled the place as unsafe, it would be morally wrong to seek votes from the state.
“You are addressing Rivers people in Abuja, is that not an insult? You cannot come to Rivers State and talk to us. You say Rivers State is not safe, but you want their vote. Rivers people will you allow that? Those who declared our state to be unsafe are those who are seeking your vote. It is unfortunate. No right thinking Rivers will take that insult.
“And I challenge all of you here to behave like true Rivers people to say nobody can buy you, nobody can summon you outside Rivers State. if you want to talk to us come to Rivers State and talk to us. no amount of blackmail, no amount of intimidation can change our position. We want the unity of Nigeria.”
Governor Wike stated that they are prepared for Saturday’s election and that Rivers voters will teach those opposed to the stance of the State for equity, fairness and justice, that there are real owners of the state who reside and determine what should happen therein.
He emphasised that the Rivers people will vote for the candidate who has the welfare of the state at heart and is interested in Nigeria moving forward.
Governor Wike also took a swipe at one Mr Kingsley Wali, a native of Rumualogu community in Akpor kingdom, who was on social media challenging him to show proof of what Rivers money has been expended on.
The governor said Wali was unable to see the plethora of projects his administration has executed in Akpor Kingdom and particularly in Rumualogu community because he is a failure, having failed four times at the Nigerian Law School.
Governor Wike stated that replying to Mr Kingsley Wali is a waste of time because they did not rank on an equal pedestal of life and politics.
The governor insisted that when he speaks, Nigeria would listen and presently he is preoccupied with thoughts and activities of how the State will go forward.
The Rivers governor emphasised that because he has provided the dividend of democracy that is why council chairmen and other leaders were bent to remain with him to execute their plan concerning the presidential election.
He stated that they have all taken a decision that is politically convenient because it will, in the long run, benefit the state and its people.
On the road that has been flagged off, Governor Wike said it was one important project he wanted to attend to before his administration ends.
Governor Wike urged the people to vote for the consolidation team so that the project is not stopped when he leaves office.
Providing the description of the project, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr George-Kelly Dakorinima Alabo, said the Emohua Road to Abalama/Tema Junction that will be reconstructed and dualised is 15.24 kilometres long and 9.75 meters wide with a median.
He explained the road which is now in decrepit condition has been in use for 25 years and even if it is a federal road, the intervention of Governor Wike’s administration will expand the single-lane road into a dual carriage with about 508 street lights to be installed as part of the project.
In his speech, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Chidi Lloyd, noted that the reconstruction of the road will rekindle the age-long traditional relationship between the Kalabari people and the Emohua people.
Lloyd thanked the governor for solving what had hitherto been a problem to them. He assured that the Emohua people will use their votes to show their appreciation to governor Wike by voting in the direction that has been directed.
On his part, the Chairman of Akuku-Toru, Roland Sekibo, expressed the appreciation of the Kalabari people to governor Wike for deciding to intervene in reconstructing a federal road in the area that had been a nightmare.
Sekibo, who described Governor Wike as a kind-hearted leader with trusted character, capacity and competence, said his leadership vision of infrastructure delivered have put the state on the map among comity of states.