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| Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike |
The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has boasted that he has the capacity to influence voters in in his State.
The governor, whose supporters accused Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar of showing apathy to genuine reconciliation, said his performance as a governor was enough to sway the electorate in favour of any candidate of his choice.
He described some politicians, who misconstrued his earlier statement that he was in charge of the state, as “misguided elements.”
The governor spoke at the inauguration of the dualised Ogbunuabali -Eastern Bypass Road in Port Harcourt yesterday. The tape cutting was performed by former Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko.
Wike, who described himself as a man with a heart for service, argued that performance in office was not a function of a political party but the mindset of an individual.
Wike said he was not in the class of leaders who cite “economic hardship as an excuse not to render leadership and service to their people.”
His words: “Because some people went to school late, they don’t understand when somebody says he am in charge of this state. I never said I am in charge of votes in this state.
“But I know I can talk to my people and my people will listen to me. Some people say I have only one vote, I agree. I can’t vote two times. I will only vote once. But because of the services I have rendered to the people of this state, the state will listen to me.
“Leadership is not about party. Leadership is about individual. Political party is only a vehicle to actualise an ambition and to tell your people that you have capacity. I have this quality for rendering services to the people.
“If you take me away today from PDP or YPP (Young Peoples Party) or any other party, I will still perform. So, it is not because I’m in PDP that I’m performing. It is because I have that passion for my people. It is because I have the commitment to serve my people.”
Wike said his undying love, passion and commitment to render service to Rivers State people had sufficiently differentiated him from other politicians.
He added: “That is why there is a sustained commitment to add value to life, impact change with the infrastructural revolution and make the state better.
“While others have used the economic hardship as an excuse not to render leadership and service to their people, I found a more rewarding way to sustain the delivery of projects in Rivers State,” he said.
The governor, who described himself as ”a consistent politician” that does not play a double game, urged the people to be happy that they have a governor that is always ready to defend the state.
Wike thanked the people of Ogbunuabali for their cooperation while the project lasted despite, having initially rejected it.
He lifted the ban on youths’ activities in the community and announced the release of the N2bn he had earlier promised the people.
Wamakko noted the leadership capacity of Wike, saying that all well-meaning governments should meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.