Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that those hoping to ride on his back to occupy the Rivers State government House would be disappointed as he would not impose his successor on the people of the state in 2023.
Governor Wike therefore advised that nursing governorship ambition to seek the support of Rivers people, saying they are the only people that would determine their fate, adding that experience has shown him that none would remain loyal to him if he helps them to become governor.
The governor who had earlier given the warning when he played host to leaders of Ogoni during a visit to the Rivers state government house reiterated his position at the weekend, during a solidarity visit by leaders and people of Oyigbo Local Government Area, at the Government House, Port Harcourt,
The governor said: “I am not going to impose anyone on Rivers State as their next governor. Anyone who wants to be governor of Rivers in 2023 should go and try.
“All those hoping on me, I want to disappoint you. I am an experienced politician. I have seen it all. There is nobody that you will make a governor that will remain loyal to you”, he noted.
He also maintained that all the ethnic nationalities in the state have the right to contest for the governorship, urging that Oyigbo people should not be intimidated by any other ethnic group.
“Nobody dashes power. You have to break the hand holding the power to collect it. Everyone is equal in this State. You need other people to be governor.
“The next governor of Rivers State will not emerge on the basis of ethnic nationality. The next governor will be someone who can carry everyone along”, he stated.
He also warned that there would be no automatic ticket for any Local Government chairman for second term, adding that Local Government chairmen can only go for second term on the strength of their performances and acceptance.
While pledging his administration resolve to dualise the Oyigbo-Afam road as a major encouragement to the Oyigbo people to defend their votes in subsequent elections, he also promised to construct a General Hospital in Oyigbo to improve access to quality healthcare in the area.
The governor also announced a N50million endowment fund for the daughter of a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) agent killed by soldiers during the 2019 elections.
Earlier, Eze Mike Nwaji, who spoke on behalf of Oyigbo people, praised the Wike for his projects in the area.
