March 9: Why Wike Will Win
nassnewsng.com
By Simeon Nwakaudu
Over the last four years, Rivers State has witnessed one of the most profound lifting in terms of development, peace and economic revival.
This is profound because Governor Wike inherited a damaged developmental structure, countless abandoned projects and a moribund economy. In some instances, projects are paid for, but with nothing on ground. The Justice Karibi Whyte Hospital is one of such projects where Amaechi paid billions and simply pocketed the money.
It was so bad that the failed immediate past Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was ashamed of his own administration. He could not pen down a hand over note. The closest to a hand over note was Amaechi’s sadistic lamentation on May 27, 2015 at the Obi Wali International Centre in Port Harcourt.
Amaechi said, ”I’m not joking, we have no money anywhere. In Rivers State, no money. I think Nyesom Wike is coming, we are waiting. He will look for money for salary; there is none. But when he pays out salary, we will see if whether they can build the schools, the roads, even to get a loan”.
The immediate past governor so devastated Rivers State that he concluded that the first term of Governor Wike would be unproductive. He embezzled state funds to the level that he was convinced that no bank would grant credit facilities to Rivers State.
They created a horrible environment with the unfortunate expectation that Governor Wike would fail.
But it was for this reason that Rivers people elected Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in the first place. They saw in Wike, a workaholic, a promise keeper, a lover of Rivers State and a courageous defender of the homeland.
Governor Wike rolled up his sleeves and commenced a pragmatic state-wide development programme. This is a classical entrenchment of development in all the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.
Through projects, appointments and programmes, Governor Wike has given all sections of Rivers State a sense of belonging. He has developed a New Rivers State where every ethnic nationality has been duly accommodated.
RIVERS SOUTH-EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT
This is one region where Governor Wike has executed life changing projects to uplift the people and change their standard of living.
Projects that were left in the realm of mere promises have been executed for the benefit of the people. Millions have been lifted from the doldrums of despair and placed on the platform of economic emancipation, with the enablement to start their lives afresh.
The Sakpenwa-Bori Road that cuts through Tai, Gokana and Khana while linking Andoni and Opobo-Nkoro is one of such projects. The dualization of this road has been a promise since 1960. No administration was bold enough to actualize it. Governor Wike flagged off this project and delivered it on record time.
It was because of Sakpenwa-Bori Road that one of the APC South-east Senatorial Rallies ended in a fiasco. Defeated 2015 Rivers APC Governorship Candidate, Dakuku Peterside attempted to deride Governor Wike, but APC supporters rejected his lies. Amaechi had to admit that the Sakpenwa-Bori Road was an outstanding project.
The Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity Road is one project Governor Wike has driven to over 90percent completion. The Governor has made history by linking Opobo town to the rest of Rivers State. For this historic achievement, Governor Wike was rewarded with the golden key to Opobo.
The Andoni axis of the road has crossed Ikuru town and will soon link Ngo town. This road has developed the economy of Andoni and Opobo-Nkoro LGAs.
In Tai LGA, Governor Wike is constructing the Kira-Nonwa-Barayira-Sime-Eteo Road.
The 10.2 Kilometre Road cuts Tai, Eleme, Oyigbo and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas of the state. The road was abandoned for 50 years. The administration has delivered the Kpopie-Bodo road in Gokana, the General Hospital, NGO, the General Hospital, Opobo and the General Hospital, Nchia-Eleme. Other key projects in the area include: Eleme-Oyigbo Road, Government Secondary School, Onne, Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, Zonal Hospital, Bori, General Hospital Bodo and Water Project in Opobo-Nkoro.
This is why leaders and people of Rivers South-east Senatorial District have resolved to vote Governor Wike on March 9, 2019. They re-affirmed their position during a meeting at Bori.
The Gbenemene Tau-Tau of Tai Local Government Area, King Sam Nne said the traditional rulers of Rivers South-East the re-election of Governor Wike because of his outstanding projects delivery across the state .
He said the election has been won by Governor Wike on the strength of the fact that the governor turned the state into a huge construction site.
The Traditional Ruler said that for the first time, a Tai man has been elected a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the support of Governor Wike .
Speaking on behalf of Oyigbo Local Government Area, Chief Felix Nwaeke said that Governor Wike fulfills all his promises to the people, hence they will stand with him during the elections.
For Khana Local Government Area, Chief Austin Nnako said the people of the area will turn out en-masse to re-elect Governor Wike .
Mrs Priscilla Vikwe of Gokana Local Government Area described Governor Wike as a covenant child who cannot be defeated by the evil machinations of the opposition.
RIVERS EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT
This is one District where the impact of the Rivers State Governor has fundamentally touched the lives of the people. In all the eight local government of the District, key projects have revived the standard of living of the people.
In Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, the Wike Administration reconstructed key roads to improve traffic and create access to economic zones. These projects have generated jobs and empowered the people.
In the two local government areas, several key projects have been executed and commissioned for the rapid development of the state. Some of these projects are: NBA House, Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, National Industrial Court, Court of Appeal, Government Girl Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Emmanuel Aguma House, Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, Obriki-Ikwerre Road, Civil Servants Quarters, Judges Quarters , Woji -Akpajo Road and Woji-Elelenwo Road among others.
In the Etche axis, the governor linked Etche to Port Harcourt. Prior to the emergence of Governor Wike , Etche had no road to Port Harcourt. Governor Wike reconstructed and commissioned the Igwuruta-Chokocho road.
The Governor constructed the Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu road and Chokocho -Igbo-Etche-Rumuokurushi Inter- Change. The Umueze -Umuogba-Umuokpurukpu-Umueke- Umunju- Umuellechi-Eberi road in Omuma LGA is nearing completion.
In Bolo of Ogu/Bolo LGA, the Rivers State Governor has constructed internal roads, while the Elele-Alimini Internal Roads have been commissioned. In Okrika Local Government Area, the Wike Administration delivered the Okochiri Internal Roads, the ATC Jetty and the General Hospital, Okrika.
Like other Senatorial Districts, the people of Rivers East have emphasised that they will re-elect Governor Wike.
Former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia said that Governor Wike has developed the district alongside other parts of the state, hence the decision to support his re-election.
Senator George Sekibo said that the Senatorial District is happy because the Rivers State Governor through his outstanding performance has become a national reference point on the delivery of projects and programmes.
Former President of Nigeria Bar Association, Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN) said that the entire Senatorial District is solidly behind Governor Wike.
Youth Representative, Oraye St Franklyn said Governor Wike has no option but to contest and further develop the state.
Former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo said that the Rivers East Senatorial District will work for the Rivers State Governor to complete his two terms.
Also speaking, Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara said that the Rivers East Senatorial District will mobilise support for Governor Wike’s victory in 2019.
RIVERS WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT
From Kalabari land to Abua/Odual through Ahoada to ONELGA, Governor Wike has clearly ensured that the people of Rivers West Senatorial District enjoy the benefits of good governance. The projects of Governor Wike are visible all through the communities of Rivers West.
In Kalabari land, Governor Wike has executed the Nyemoni Grammar School, Abonnema, the Abonnema Ring Road, the Abonnema-Obonoma Bridge, the General Hospital, Abonnema, the Abalama Land Reclamation Project, the Degema Zonal Hospital, the General Hospital, Buguma among other projects.
In Ahoada East and West Local Government Areas, the governor has executed the Western Ahoada County Grammar School, , GSS Okarki, Odiokwu Internal Roads, Odiokwu-Anwuigboko road, Odiokwu-Oyigba Road and the Odiokwu Water Scheme.
In ONELGA, the Rivers State Governor completed the Omoku Internal Roads , the Omoku Zonal Hospital and the Omoku-Egbema Road.
The people of Abua/Odual are happy with the numerous projects sited in their communities by Governor Wike.
Former Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo said the eight Local Government Areas of Rivers State are direct beneficiaries of the quality projects of Governor Wike.
He outlined the projects executed by Governor Wike on Local Government by Local Government basis, noting that Governor Wike deserves the massive support he enjoys.
He said: “You have proven to the people of Rivers West Senatorial District that you are the only man to stand with them irrespective of the situation.
“You were the first governor to oppose cattle colony in the South and you opposed the anti-people bill on the water-ways. The people are sure that you will defend their interests at all times”.
Chairman of the Rivers State PDP Campaign Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba said that the District will support the re-election of Governor Wike because of his outstanding projects delivery in the area.
He said all evil plans against Rivers State by the APC and their collaborators will fail because the people love Governor Wike and the PDP.
Spokesman for Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Samuel Horsefall said that the people will vote overwhelmingly for Governor Wike and PDP candidates during the March 9 elections.
Promise Jacob of Ahoada West Local Government Area said that the New Vision is a distinct state and nationhood agenda , which the people of the Local Government will support.
Raymond Oyil, who spoke on behalf of Abua/Odual LGA stated that the area has every reason to support the re-election of Governor Wike. He said that they are committed to the victory of all PDP Candidates.
YOUTH AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
These are two key areas that Governor Wike stands above his colleagues. The Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo is a woman of substance. So are the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyaye-Laminkara and the President, Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Christy Gabriel Nwankwo. All the the 23 Vice Chairmen of councils are women , while there are 150 female councillors.
In his second term, Governor Wike has pledged 65 percent of positions for women and youths.
VERDICT
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is like Nigeria’s staple food, garri. He needs no introduction or advertisement. He is a pro-people politician accepted for his commitment to the development of Rivers State . They love him for his dogged defence of the interest of the state and his general investments in the security of lives and property.
From all the 23 Local Government areas of the State, the endorsements and indicators of support are glaring. Rivers people will re-elect Governor Wike on March 9, 2019. On this date, they will cast their votes, defend their votes and work with Wike to massively consolidate on the development of the State between 2019 and 2023.
