Rivers ready for Tinubu’s coming

Rivers ready for Tinubu’s coming

● How the deal was struck;
● Ahs, oohs of the presidential race;
● Forging FG-Rivers ties;
● What Rivers may get from the visit

By PHC Telegraph

 

In a few hours from now, Rivers people led by Governor Nyesom Wike will receive the President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The exact time of his arrival has not been made known, but a top member of the reception committee told this publication, “We are set to give a befitting welcome to Nigeria’s incoming president.”

Today’s visit to Rivers State by the President-elect would be his first to any State since he won the presidential elections.

On ground, many enthusiastic Rivers people are ready to join the welcome party.

They include high level government officials, politicians,  captains of industry, natural rulers and chiefs, and ordinary citizens who want to catch a glimpse of the man of the moment.

They will all be converging at the airport and the venues where Tinubu is expected to commission projects.

Top on the list of projects billed for commissioning by the President-in-waiting are the Rumuola – Rumuokwuta flyover and the Magistrates Court complex built by the Governor Wike administration.

Already, the Rivers State Government has declared today a public holiday. Governor Wike made the announcement in a State broadcast on Tuesday.

Incidentally, the visit is a clear indication of the rapport that is exists between the outgoing Rivers Governor and the incoming president.

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and his counterpart in Oyo State,  Governor Seyi Makinde were among important guests who visited the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at Defense House last weekend.

It was however the first time since after the elections that the Rivers strongman credited with playing a rather powerful and very significant role in the electoral humiliation of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was seen in public in the company of the nation’s emerging number one citizen.

How The Deal Of Tinubu’s Visit Was Struck:

Wike who has spoken on the impending visit had earlier invited the former Lagos Senator and ex-governor who now waits in the wings to occupy Nigeria’s Presidential Villa otherwise known as Aso Rock to visit Rivers State.

Wike admits that the offer was made while Tinubu was campaigning for office.

Peter Obi of Labour and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP had taken their turn earlier to commission Rivers projects.

This was however not the case for the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The fact that Wike was emphatic Tinubu would commission projects in Rivers seen as iconic indicates he may have been confident at a time some people had their doubts about who will win that the APC’s presidential candidate would sweep the polls.

Analysts say Friday’s visit of Governors in the PDP who were in the forefront of efforts to enthrone Tinubu as the country’s next president is perhaps proof of a bi-partisan arrangement that is taking place behind the scene.

Obviously, the dynamics of the nation’s politics which has thrown up new elements within the political landscape is beginning to wear a new look.

Oohs, Ahs of the Presidential Race :

To be sure, all the major presidential front runners in the last election were seemingly running neck-to-neck when the Rivers result got in.

Its definite outcome which changed the dynamics of the game, no doubt resulted in a fatal blow to the PDP and Atiku, and a great shock to Obi, members of the Obidient movement and LP.

But the result from Rivers increased Asiwaju’s lead and squarely put him in front and in a strong position to win the nation’s presidency.

Recall that Governor Wike had come under intense fire after the elections from the Labour Party and the PDP.

While the reaction of the PDP was one of outright frustration and anger, resulting in plans by the deposed National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu to deal with both Governor Wike, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and others from the party, the Labour Party claimed Wike had deliberately stood in the way of its victory, especially in Rivers State.

To avert arrows targeted at them, Wike, Fubara and Desmond Akawor, State Chairman of the PDP quickly headed to court to frustrate a desperate  but dangerous plan to edge them out of the PDP and possibly jeopardise the Rivers mandate.

Thus far, those matters are still hanging in court as Fubara’s inauguration  draws near.

Speaking at an occasion which held at Government House to acknowledge the victory of the Consolidation family,  Akawor noted that those after members of the Rivers team led by Governor Wike were rather struggling for their political lives.

Akawor’s rrmark was a veiled reference to the suspension of Ayu from the PDP and the disarray that the Atiku camp had found itself.

Cultivating Great Ties:

An appreciative Tinubu, President-elect, will today commence a two-day visit to Rivers State.

Wike, an astute campaigner for the protection of Southetn interests and the evolution of a more united and St a stable country will be hoping through the visit to put Rivers State that has led for eight years in strong reckoning as the incoming President steps in.

From all indications, a robust relationship which may prove mutually beneficial is gradually being forged between the incoming Federal Government that  Tinubu will head after May 29 and the new Rivers State Government that Wike has midwifed.

Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers Governor-elect who would be stepping in on May 29 as Wike’s successor may likely have the advantage of enjoying a discussion on the sidelines with the nation’s president in waiting.

Sim, a networker and trusted ally of Governor Wike, is openly thinking of establishing new gas hubs and industrial concerns which will not only act in future as growth poles, but also create wealth in the State and jobs for able-bodied youths and others who are unemployed.

Wike whose dream it is to reposition the State will be hoping to ensure that Rivers State exploits its maritime potential as well.

Thus, keeping the sea lanes that lead to Rivers ports open and getting the Federal authorities under Tinubu to build a Deep Seaport in the State might be uppermost in the minds of Rivers leaders when Tinubu comes.

A little support from the government at the centre for these big ticket projects desired by the Rivers State Government, some critical minds posit, may prove worthwhile.

In the meantime,  critical Rivers strategists laud Wike for his bridgebuilding effort, which has clearly brought the State to national limelight.

Through hard work, project execution and commissioning, Wike has cultivated friendship and built goodwill on behalf of the State and its people.

Wike has virtually in the last four years turned the Rivers State capital into a political Mecca, visited by the high and mighty.

Now, that the moment has come, Tinubu will spend the 3rd and 4th of May in the Rivers capital in the company of an illustrious, industrious and focused governor like Governor Wike.

At this stage, there are possibly no ifs and no buts. Tinubu is coming. And there are however expectations that there may be far reaching pronouncements coming from him that may set the tone for partnerships of the future which will be in the overall interest of the Federal Government and the Rivers State Government under Siminalayi Fubara.