Rivers State
Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that he has not promised any ethnic
nationality, the position of governor.
He said that
only God has the capacity to make any ethnic nationality Governor of Rivers
State.
He spoke on
Monday during a Solidarity Visit by the Ogoni Ethnic Nationality at the
Government House Port Harcourt.
“Let
nobody say that I have met with Ogoni Ethnic Nationality and I promised them
Governor. I didn’t promise because I
cannot give.
“It is
only God that will give the position of Governor. With proper arrangement, things
can be done. Don’t say I made a promise, don’t rely on anyone, just work hard.
As Nyesom Wike, I can only support, but cannot make anyone Governor “, he
said.
He urged
Rivers people to take him as an example where a leader declared that over his
dead body would he emerge Rivers State Governor.
“Take
me as an example. Someone sat here and said over his dead body would I be
Governor. Am I not Governor today? I am heading towards eight years.
“Nobody
should threaten you that you cannot be Governor. Don’t take the position of God. Don’t allow
anyone to take the glory of God”, Governor Wike said.
Speaking further, Governor Wike stated that Senator Magnus Abe would have become the Governor of the state if he listened to his advice and left the then government of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi with him.
He noted that
with the elections over, it is time for governance. He thanked the people of
Ogoni Ethnic Nationality for supporting him to win the election.
He urged the
people of Ogoni Ethnic Nationality to be united and work together in order to
achieve set goals, as well as build bridges across various ethnic nationalities
to succeed politically.
The Governor
advised Ogoni people with the intention to run for governorship election in the
state to be fully prepared to struggle for the position.
He noted
that no administration in the state has given Ogoni people the number of
appointments his administration has given them.
“No
administration in this state has given Ogoni people more appointments than
me”, he said
Governor
Wike used the forum to intimate the people of Ogoni Ethnic Nationality on the
State Government’s decision to acquire Shell’s share in OML 11 .He regretted
the negative propaganda by some people in the area. He advised them not to
allow criminals to speak on their behalf.
He said:
“We have allowed criminals to speak for us. Some leaders use criminals to
speak on their behalf. The next thing you hear, I am an ex-agitator. What are
you agitating? You collect money everywhere and become ex-agitator.
“We sit
back and sponsor criminals to talk on behalf of Ogoni Ethnic Nationality. How
many of you have come out to say what that boy is saying is not correct.”
Speaking
during the Solidarity Visit, Gbenemene Tai and Chairman, Supreme Council of
Ogoni Council of Traditional Rulers, King G.N.K. Giniwa lauded the governor for
his support to the Ogonis. He pledged their unalloyed and unflinching support
to the administration.
Presenting
the address of the people of Ogoni Ethnic Nationality, Senator Bennett Birabi
thanked Governor Wike for the numerous infrastructure put in place in Ogoni
land. He also commended Governor Wike for the restoration of peace in the state
and Ogoniland.
He also
lauded the governor for the acquisition of OML 11 for the benefit of the state
and Ogoni people.