Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has assured that the governor-elect Siminalaye Fubara and the deputy governor-elect, Prof. Ngozi Odu, will surpass his record of success.
Wike gave the assurance yesterday while speaking at a public lecture and book presentation in his honour at Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt.
The governor remarked that his administration enjoyed tremendous support from leaders and people of Rivers State which made it possible for him to achieve the success that is being celebrated.
He solicited that the same support should be given to his successor because if Fubara administration fails, it will mean that all that made it possible for him to emerge as the next governor, have failed.
Wike said, “I have that belief that the governor-elect and the deputy governor-elect will do very very well. He is somebody you can rely on. His yes is yes, that I can tell you.
“He is an accountant; they are very conservative. They don’t spend money anyhow. They spend the money where they know it will be useful. So, don’t rate us as the same. But he is a very good person.”
The governor urged Rivers people to understand that no two persons are the same and, therefore, should not expect the same level of relationship they experienced under his administration with the incoming government.
He said, “Don’t compare that the way I relate with you should be the way the incoming administration must relate with you, no. We have different styles but what’s important is being able to deliver what will make our people to be happy.”
Wike, however, stated that governor-elect, Fubara will be committed to deliver on what will make Rivers’ people happy.
The governor said: “When people were struggling to be governor, he never one day came to me to say sir, I am interested.
“Only those that don’t have interest of the state were those masquerading themselves, running around, those who I know that would sell the state the next day and I thank God they have all left.”
He emphasised that the journey had not been easy, but with focus, commitment and help from God, he surmounted the challenges.
Presenting the 2023 inauguration lecture entitled “Democracy, Transformational leadership and sustainable development: The Rivers experience,” Prof Julius Ihonvbere acknowledged the tactically strategic politics of governor Wike that produced result in the state and beyond.
Ihonvbere said: “Wike brought in a new phase of domestic and international appreciation of the location of the state in economic calculations.
“In terms of infrastructure, there is no one in the history of the state that you can compare comfortable with Wike.
“Like a man in a hurry to finish an assignment, he unleashed massive interventions, often at great cost, on practically every sector especially health, education, administration of justice and rural development,” he said.
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