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The transformation of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike from ‘Political High Tension ‘ to ‘Mr Projects ‘ over the last eighteen months is one of the most enduring narratives of this political dispensation.
From the very day Governor Wike took over the reins of leadership and showed the signs of performance, his detractors have been waiting for him to falter. They may have to wait for eternity as the make-up of Governor Wike has no room for developmental loss of focus .
Those who monitored his swearing-in would remember that his inauguration address had clear-cut steps to be taken for the revival of Rivers State, which was damaged beyond measures by the immediate past APC administration in the state. With definite pronouncements, he opened the courts closed for two years and also granted immediate autonomy to the Rivers State House of Assembly.
These two profound actions restored democracy to the state. Eighteen months down the line, the Rivers State Judiciary and Legislature are operating independently without interference from the State Executive. For Rivers people, this cannot be taken for granted in view of the deliberate attacks on institutions of Government by the immediate past APC administration.
Right on May 29, 2015, Governor Wike took very concrete steps that have led to his emergence as Nigeria’s Best Performing Governor. He launched the “Operation Zero Potholes Programme ” to address the decayed road infrastructure across the suburbs of Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Area. This project was handled by Julius Berger and CCECC.
He went ahead to pay four months civil servants salary arrears and six months pension arrears inherited from the immediate past administration. Ever since, Governor Wike has remained one of the three governors up to date in terms of payment of salaries and pensions.
Nobody comes takes a tour of Rivers State without coming to the conclusion that Governor Wike has transformed the state from developmental backwardness to the fast lane of progress.
Any person who visits Rivers State, promptly drops the narrative of insecurity and embraces the narrative of massive development. They even invite other governors to emulate Governor Wike. This appreciation of Governor Wike’s developmental efforts transcend political lines.
The Sun Governor of the Year 2016 conferred on Governor Wike was premised on very concrete achievements that spread across different sectors of the Rivers society.
At the risk of sounding immodest, there is no single serving governor that can contend with Nyesom Wike. Though with several verifiable reasons why he should fail, Governor Wike chose the path of success–because that is what he promised the good people of Rivers State.
Governor Wike was the only governor who had no privilege of hand over notes. He had to put his administrative skills to use to get the damaged Rivers State Government re-started. Indeed, his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi on May 27, 2017 predicted doom for the state when he declared that Governor Wike would be unable to pay salaries, let alone execute projects.
Today, Governor Wike has proved the Rivers people right. He has lived up to their expectations through consistent initiation and execution of pro-people projects and programmes. Everywhere you turn in Rivers State, you see projects.
The Wike administration has ensured that governance gets a human face. Governance has come to live with the people and the people are glad.
Most importantly, the world has noticed. In a country where governors are certified authors of excuses of why they are entitled to fail, everyone is eager to celebrate Wike, a proven performer. Everyone is eager to cite Wike as an example, worthy of recognition and celebration. Everyone is asking the question; where is Wike getting the resources to perform.
On Saturday 18th February, 2017, the nation stood up to celebrate Nigeria’s Best Performing Governor. All eyes were focused on the Eko Signature Hall where Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was enthroned as Sun Governor of the Year, 2016. It was an event watched live by millions of Nigerians on national television and online.
The consensus on the night was quite clear. Governor Wike deserved the award. He had worked hard to merit the recognition. He has judiciously applied the scarce Rivers resources to improve the living condition of the people.
Former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku who presented the Sun Governor of the Year, 2016 award to Governor Wike declared that he deserves the Sun Governor of the Year 2016 award because of his outstanding performance.
The international diplomat applauded Governor Wike for placing development projects on the priority list of his government.
Speaking on the award to Governor Wike, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio expressed happiness that Governor Wike is getting global acclaim for his outstanding delivery of projects.
He commended the governor for being focused in his service to the people of Rivers State despite the false propaganda, evil machinations and political persecution thrown at him.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency, Mr Jones Onyereri said that Governor Wike has set the right example for other governors to follow.
He noted that such high level performance will attract more members to the party.
Publisher of Sun Publishing Ltd and Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu lauded Governor Wike for his delivery of projects and his enhancement of the standard of living of the people.
Responding during a reception held in his honour in Lagos, Governor Wike assured the people of the state that the tempo of projects delivery will be stepped up.
He said that he will continue to count on the support of the people , pointing out that he will never disappoint them.
The governor said: “Without the support of the people, I wouldn’t have been governor. Based on projects, we will continue to win this award because we have increased the tempo of projects execution.
“I am always thinking of projects. When I talk with my wife, I talk projects. When she cooks for me, she cooks projects. My wife has made today possible be giving me the desired peace at home, so I can concentrate on building a New Rivers State.
“When you have the entire political class in your state supporting you, you have no excuse than to perform. This award is a challenge to us to continue to perform.”
Within the last two months, Governor Wike’s four awards have brought to the front burner the need for leaders to work for their people. These awards have helped to situate the relevance of the right leadership in the revival of Nigeria.
Governor Wike has clearly shown the route to pragmatic leadership and the effective deployment of scarce resources. In celebrating Governor Wike, other governors would be encouraged to improve their respective states and plant a new narrative on the lips of the people. That way, the entire nation benefits.