Rivers States Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says despite attempts by
agents of the Federal Government to cripple his administration from the
onset, he has not disappointed Rivers’ people and the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) in the governance of the State.
Governor Wike said he could walk around the entire Rivers State today
without security because his administration and the PDP have fulfilled
their promises to transform the State for the benefit of all.
He made this assertion at the inauguration of the ultramodern Government
House clinic and Administrative Building in Port Harcourt.
“I have not disappointed the people of Rivers State and I have not
disappointed the party that gave me the privilege to contribute my own
quarter to the development of the State. But for politics, I don’t think
there will be need for any Rivers man or woman to think of any other
party.”
The Rivers State governor explained that immediately he took over the
realm of power in 2015, he was buffeted from all sides as the Federal
Government unleashed insidious forces whose primary objective was to
cripple his administration.
Governor recalled how his election was nullified by the tribunal and
the Court of Appeal. But through divine providence, the Supreme Court
upturned their verdict and reaffirmed him the winner of the 2015
governorship election.
He also narrated how National Assembly and State House of Assembly
elections were also nullified and fresh election ordered, but
fortunately, the PDP still emerged victorious.
“I know what we passed through in the hands of the ruling government. No
State government has been harassed like Rivers State government, not
one, but I will never give up. I will continue to do what I think is for
the best interest of the people of Rivers State because they gave me
the privilege.”
Governor Wike said when the State was faced with serious security
challenge, he appealed to the Federal Government to deploy special force
to checkmate the activities of the criminals, but his entreaty was
deliberately ignored.
According to him, security in the State has been politicised as the
Federal Government has persistently deployed and redeployed
Commissioners of Police in Rivers State.
“Since 2015, we have had about 15 Commissioners of Police, just to make
sure Rivers State does not move forward. But nobody is God. They go to
their ministers to choose Commissioner of Police for our State so that
what will happen? To come and make the State ungovernable? But God does
not think so.”
He explained that despite all these antics by Federal Government agents,
he has remained undaunted even as a second term governor in the delivery
of democratic dividends to the people of the State.
Governor Wike said the new Government House Clinic which is fully
equipped with state-of-the-art operating theatre, top anaesthesia
ventilator, ICU Room, Endoscopy Suite, MRI Machines, Laboratory,
Pharmacy and 24 hours ambulance service will serve elder statesmen,
Government House personnel, judges and legislators.
He regretted that the yearning of Nigerians for better life, better
education, health care system, basic infrastructure, have remained
illusive because of the insensitivity of the incumbent Federal
government. He insisted that only the PDP can redeem Nigeria from the
bad governance that has characterised the ruling party.
Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki who inaugurated the
ultra-modern Government House Clinic/Administrative Building, lauded
Governor Wike for investing in critical infrastructure such as
healthcare which is very important in reduction of poverty.
Senator Saraki said Governor Wike’s effort, actions and successes in
governance has clearly distinguished him as a ambassador of the PDP in
Nigeria.
“I believe that this centre (Clinic) is not only for the people of
Rivers state, it is for the entire people of the country and for the
whole African continent.”
The Commissioner of Health, Professor Princewill Chike, said all the
equipment, monitors and desktops in the clinic are connected through a
computerized integrated system linking the Radiology with the Laboratory
and the Electronic Patient Records, that can be checked and managed
on-site, but also remotely, anywhere in the world, using an authorized
access.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Engineer Emeka Woke, said anyone who
visited the Government House a year ago will be astounded by the
transformation that has taken place within this short period. According
to him, it only takes a visionary leader to achieve this feat.