By
Oyewale Oyelola
Governor
Nyesom Wike of Rivers state against all odd defeated APC governorship
Candidate, Dakuku Peterside in last gubernatorial election in the state. Wike’s
victory in April 11 poll is not surprise to many people familiar with Rivers
state politics because Barrister Nyeson Wike is grassroots mobilizer and man of
the people.
Governor
Wike Is not new in Rivers state politics, he served as Chairman of largest
local government area in the state, Obio-Akpor from 2000-2006 before his
appointment as Chief to Staff to former Rivers State Governor, Romiti Amaechi
in 2007 and Minister in President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2011.
He
championed the Court the case that brought Amaechi to office while the main
actor was on self-exile in Ghana. Wike fought Amaechi’s enemies including
former Olusegun Obasanjo who said Rotimi Amaechi‘s nomination as Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for 2007 gubernatorial election in state had
K-leg.
However,
the frosty relationship between former President Goodluck Jonathan and Amaechi
turned to jolly friends against each other. The crisis led to exit of two terms
NGF Chairman from PDP with other four other governors. He later joined All
Progressives Congress in 2013 and worked against re-election of Goodluck
Jonathan /PDP in 2015 general elections.
The
47 year old lawyer turned politician in 2013 founded Grassroots Network
Initiative (GNI) to mobilize support for re-election of Goodluck Jonathan. The
support group successful delivered over 1.8million votes to Bayelsa born
ex-president in 2015 presidential election despite all name calling cum huge
spending by Director General, Buhari Osinbajo Campaign organisation in the
state.
GNI
efforts in 22 local government areas resulted to landslide victory for Wike who
contested under PDP platform in last gubernatorial election.
The
former Minister of state for education upon his swearing as governor of oil
rich state without delay commenced transformation work in the state.
He
swore-in Justice Daisy Okocha as Chief Judge of the state, as Ameachi led
administration disregarded National Judicial Commission recommendation on the
appointment of Justice Okocha. It would be recalled that courts closed for 21
months in Rivers state. The judiciary crisis in the state prompted Attorney
General of the federation to direct Bayelsa Chief Judge to swear-in Governor
Wike.
The
energetic governor also inaugurated the 8th state house of assembly and
reopened Rivers State House of Assembly Complex after two years. Time Nigeria
reports that state legislators loyal to former governor have been meeting in
Government House, Port Harcourt since power tussle in the state started.
The
governor is putting smiles on the faces of civil servants with the payments of
outstanding salaries owed by past administration. The sports loving former
ALGON National President has paid eight months outstanding salaries/allowances
of players and technical crew of Dolphins FC and Sharks of Port Harcourt.
Media
Officer of the two clubs, Peter Abaje in a statement made available to
FactualTimes commended the governor for fulfilling one of his campaign
promises.
Abaje
said, ” So much has been given to players and officials of the two state owned
club by the governor. players used to say we have not been pay salaries, we are
hungry and cannot think well on the field but all that is over.
The
health workers have also resumed operations after 21 months strike that
paralysed the health sector in Rivers state.
The
PDP governor is working with state house of assembly to correct misdeed of past
administration in the state. He recently dissolved Rivers state Independent
Electoral Commission on the directive of state house of assembly under the
leadership of speaker, Rt Hon Ikuinyi Ibani.
He
recently renamed of Rivers State Polytechnic after late Niger Delta
environmental activist, Ken Saro Wiva
In
recognition of Wike as political leader in South South zone, members of Delta
State House of Assembly members led Speaker, Mr. Monday Okemeni visited him in
his office to pay homage and seek for advice.
Okemeni
described Rivers governor as a leading light in the political engineering of
the country, adding that the governor would play a key role in the promotion of
development of the region.
The
host governor while addressing the legislators promised to promote independence
of legislative arm of government and maintain separation of power between the
arms of government
He
added that , “We are not worried by their (APC) claim that they have the
tribunal. All we know is that Rivers State will always remain a PDP state. The
people are with us. While the APC were busy embarking on negative propaganda
because they had excess money, we were with the people at the grassroots selling
our programmes to them. That was why they voted for us massively.”
The
governor assured that he would promote the independence of the legislature by
ensuring that the funds of the state Assembly would come as part of first line
charge.
Rivers
state led by Chief Nyesom Wike has kick start the rehabilitation of Nembe,
Bille and Bonny Jetties abandoned by past administration. Time Nigeria quoted
the governor as saying, “The three jetties rehabilitation when completed and
operational will boost our internal generated revenue”.
The
south south governor has turned to construction site with rehabilitation of
roads across the state, especially in port harcourt the state capital. Our
correspent reports popularly Azikiwe street in port Harcourt will soon be ready
for use.
Governor
Nyesom Wike is really walking the talk in Rivers state with all his
achievements in just 50 days in office.
Culled
from www.factualtimes.com
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