Governor Nyesom Wike has disclosed that he regrets that he will be unable to deal with the threat that banditry is posing to national security
Chief Dan Orbih, Deputy National Chairman, South, Senator Aliyu Wamakko and Governor Nyesom Wike accompanied by members of the visiting delegation.
Wike who spoke in Port Harcourt Tuesday had promised to fight bandits to a standstill while campaigning for the presidential ticket of the PDP.
But he said his inability to take the war to the bandits who are dusturbing the peace in Nigeria would be his only regret as the nation prepares for the transition of power through the ballot box.
Masquerades entertaining at the Ogbum-nu-Abali commissioning ceremony
Noting that banditry has become an intractable problem which is threatening the unity of this country, he said he wanted to be in a position where he could have said to the bandits, “enough is enough”.
He acknowledged that he would never be in that position now, but he dismissed claims that the performance of public functionaries is dependent on the influence of their political party platforms.
Wike who spoke at the commissioning of the Ogbum-nu-Abali Road project observed that leadership is a product of focus, zeal and commitment and not a function of the political party one belongs to.
“Leadership is not about party”, Governor Wike remarked, “it is about the individual. Party is only a vehicle to actualise your ambition, to be able to tell your people I have this capacity, I have this quality to render services to you.
“If you take me away today from PDP to another 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.
“Take me to YPP, allow me to become whatever I will become there, I will perform. Take me to any party, I will perform. So, it is not party that makes you to perform.”
Although Governor Wike referred to no one in particular, he declared that Rivers State can’t be ignored by those who are scheming in Abuja to undermine her.
He said those grandstanding at the momemt would get what is due them at the fullness of time, saying those pretending to ignore Rivers State and its people do not have the.capacity to do so.
He also noted that it was meaningless for anyone to claim closeness either to power or the presidency, when such a claimant is unable to bring something home for the benefit of the people.
The Governor ackowledged that the Ogbum-nu-Abali people had made tremendous sacrifices in the interest of the State and assured them that their contributions would never be forgotten.
Senator Aliyu Warmakko, a one-time Governor of Sokoto State, who commissioned the road project recalled that he has known the Rivers Governor intimately in the last 23 years.
He lauded his host for his zeal in providing adequate infrastructure in order to boost the growth of Rivers State, saying most Nigerians who are his admirers would continue to stand by him.
The State Commissioner for Works and Special Projects, Alabo George Kelly said the project has changed the landscape of Ogbum-nu-Abali and enhanced the urban renewal plan of the present administration.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Port Harcourt City Local Government, Hon. Ihunda Allwell has expressed the profound gratitude of the PHALGA people to the Governor of River State for what he described as the speedy completion of the Ogbum-nu-Abali Road project.
The chairman said in his welcome address that the project has changed the skyline of the area.
He said the people are happy with the Governor for his commitment to the development of the State capital and its environs.
Wamakko and members of his team left after light refreshments at the Wike country home.
Some of the guests who had refreshments after the commissioning ceremony.
Chief Ejoh, Engineer Emeka Woke (Chief of Staff) and George Tolofari caught by our camera
Felix Nwaeke and Bro Felix Obuah at the Governor’s residence.
In Abuja, Wike’s comments may have sent shock waves to PDP bigwigs, forcing the party leadership to put off a planned NEC meeting.
A statement issued by the party revealed that a new date will be communicated to all who were expected to attend.
Iyorchia Ayu, PDP National Chairman.
Reports say the PDP has become jittery, following Wike’s decision to invite non party members to commission his projects.
Since the new phase of commissioning exercise began, Wamakko is the second highbrow Nigerian outside the ranks of the PDP to step on Rivers soil to inaugurate projects built by the Wike administration.
On Monday, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu commissioned the Orochiri-Worukwo Flyover.