Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said that no progressive governor will support the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
While urging the Federal Government to stop APC in the state from perpetrating acts of violence, Wike said APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who was unceremoniously removed from office has allegedly killed the party’s candidate with all the things he said against him before which have not been denied.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor who was speaking on a live television programme, said character will determine who will be the next governor of Edo.
“Character is an issue in this election. No matter what they promise to do under the pretence of having a simple political agenda’’, Governor Wike said, pointing out that Ize-Iyamu knows he is no match to the PDP candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Continuing, the daring Rivers governor who is leading the PDP political assault in Edo, is alleging that APC is plotting violence that will lead to a constitutional crisis and suspension of the election.
“Who is in a position to cause violence. We have an advantage. We have a seating governor who has done well and will continue to do well. So why do we need to cause violence?
“They are so much desperate to take over power. Desperation can lead to violence. If you watch that video where Ize-Iyamu told those he called ‘lions and tigers’ of Edo to move from unit to unit, you will understand the level of violence they are planning.
“PDP is restraining itself. We want free and fair electoral contest. But APC does not want the election because they know they will lose.”
“The question to ask is, this man who says he will execute this, who is he? Is he the man I can believe?
Oshiomhole has said people know him wherever he goes because he fought godfatherism. That is also why today, people want to continue to fight godfatherism.
“Edo people are saying that after joining him to fight godfatherism yesterday, they will not allow him to become another godfather.
“I have also seen Oshiomhole kneeling down before traditional rulers. But, the APC candidate is not kneeling. Why is Oshiomhole not prostrating?
“You see, he is using such pretence to get what he wants. He is so desperate that he is doing everything to secure his political future since he is no longer relevant at the national level’’, Wike adds.
In the meantime, he has assured that all projects started by his administration will be completed before the expiration of his tenure in 2023.
Governor Wike also stated this at the television programme, claiming that despite inheriting so many uncompleted projects, his driving force has been not to follow in such stead but be committed to delivering promises made to Rivers people.
“When I won the election in 2015, I knew I was in opposition. I knew the Federal Government will not execute projects in this state. I cannot also use that as an excuse for non-performance. So, I designed a policy of what to do for the state and implement it.
“Most people talk of corruption in the judiciary and we decided to do something to reduce it. When a judge retires, he is not allowed to practice. So we thought, it is better to help them to stay focused whether in service or on retirement.
“We built houses for them on an owner-occupier basis. Judges of the state judiciary, and Judges of Rivers origin serving at federal courts. Shelter is important and you cannot play with it. Those who do not want to live in those houses have requested for monetisation. When they retire, they can have decent accommodation.
“What we have done is monumental and cannot be found in any State in the country. It is not limited to the Judiciary. It is also done for the Legislature. We are building the Assembly Residential Quarters. We provided logistics and vehicles for the Nigerian Army when the Sixth Division was created.
“Our support extends to the security agencies, Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, Nigerian Bar Association and Students Union. It is our policy to enhance the capacity of the Judiciary and Legislature as a commitment towards actualising the independence of those arms of government.
“We built the Industrial court. When I assumed office, that court was in Bayelsa State and 80 percent of cases were from Rivers. So, we wrote to request approval to build in Rivers State. The same thing we did with the Court of Appeal that was in poor condition”, he said.
Wike said his administration extended N500 million interest-free loan to members of the Nigeria Medical Association for the upgrading of their medical facilities.
Some of the doctors, he said, diverted the funds and frustrated the implementation of the second phase of the programme.
The governor also explained that the five flyovers under construction would not only ease movement but also enhance the economy of the State.
He said contract for the Woji-Aleto- Alesa to Refinery Road wILL soon be awarded to ease movement from Okrika to Port Harcourt, pointing out that the refund from Abuja has not been received but because of his passion and commitment, he is utilising the available resources to achieve more for the state.
