Southern leaders back Wike, say FCT minister not distracted by Rivers crisis
A group of Southern leaders under the aegis of Citizens Network for Peace and Development of Nigeria CNPDN has thrown its weight behind the Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike amid the ongoing political crisis in his home state, Rivers.
The leaders who rose after a meeting in Abuja on Monday said Wike remained undistracted in his position as FCT Minister, saying he has given free hands to his successor in Rivers, Gov. Siminalayi Fubara to run the state without any interference.
They also kicked against pockets of sponsored opposition against the “commendable work of the minister in Abuja”, saying those who milked the territory dry in the past would rather want the status quo to remain, to the detriment of the people.
According to them, the appointment of Wike by President Bola Tinubu is one the best decisions of the current administration, maintaining that the FCT Minister has achieved in nine months, what some former Ministers couldn’t do in eight years.
National Coordinator of the Southern movement, Chief Raphael Okorie, also begged Nigerians to remain patient with Tinubu, as he tries to fix the economy, restore security and provide the needed relief to everyone in the country.
“It is easy for you to assess a man who has precedent. Wike served as Governor for eight years. For those of us who grew up in Rivers state, now you have to use your GPS to move around because of the level of infrastructure development. If you don’t use GPS, you might get lost, especially in Port Harcourt.
“Rivers crisis is not peculiar. Wike is a man who lives above board. He has given the governor the free hand to lead the state without any interference. Wike cannot be distracted by the issues in Rivers state. The judiciary is also capable of resolving the issues that are in court.
“Wike has done a lot in just nine months. We know that there are people who want to distract him. But he has ignored them.
He is not even bothered about the crisis in Rivers State. He’s busy with developing Abuja.
“In nine months as FCT Minister, he has transformed the Territory. We want to assure him that we are with him and we stand behind him to succeed as Minister.
And we urge him to ignore those trying to distract him from replicating the wonders he performed in Rivers State”, said Okorie.
He said the leaders had taken their time to assess the performance of President Tinubu and Wike, adding that there is no gainsaying that they are set to deliver the dividends of the Renewed Hope Agenda expediently as promised.
“From rapid infrastructure development to a stabilizing economy, there is no doubt that Nigeria is on the path of recovery. Here thereto, we micromanaged the value of the naira against other currencies of the world, had a completely stunted infrastructural development, the international community couldn’t invest in Nigeria because of inconsistent policies and over interference by government in the affairs of the private sector.
“Confidence in our economy that hit its highest under the Jonathan administration was completely eroded, foreign direct investments were near zero.
“Today we have attained relative and realistic stability in the management of the naira, and FDI is growing by the day. The private sector is getting the required support to grow and produce what we consume. Local content is being seriously encouraged and the government has opened its doors to all Nigerians to build an all-inclusive country where no Nigerian is shortchanged by those that have invaded to destroy our dear nation,” he Okorie noted.
Continuing, he added; “Our praises also go to Mr. Project, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike for proving Mr. President is right in appointing you as the Minister of the Nation’s capital, Abuja.
“Your performance is unprecedented, and we salute your courage, determination, and output in these nine months. Before the appointment of Wike as FCT Minister, insecurity was a major problem. In less than six months, he addressed the issue head-on.
“Today, the entire territory is relatively safe. We are not there yet, but with Wike in charge, we are optimistic that FCT will be completely safe soon.
“There are people who want to distract Wike from delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu. We urge President Tinubu to ignore such people and continue to support Wike. We also call on residents of the FCT to join hands together and support Wike to succeed.”
