As governor, Wike brought unprecedented development to Ekpeyeland—Ex-Reps Deputy Speaker

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, has said it was only when Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike was governor of Rivers that Ekpeyeland witnessed unprecedented development and human empowerment.

Nwuche said this in Ochigba, Ahoada East Local Government Area, during an appreciation party he organised to thank leaders of the People’s Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress in the two local government areas for their support for the minister on Saturday.

Nwuche stated, “Coming to the governors of this state, I have known all of them, from Chief Rufus Ada-George, up to Chibuike Amaechi before Wike. I know them one on one. Let me ask you, sincerely, have there been any development you can point to in Ekpeyeland before Wike’s time?

“Just point to one; we had other governors here, we had Ada George, we had Peter Odili, Amaechi, point to one development. None of them left any legacy in Ekpeye, no development, no road projects, no water projects, no electrification, nothing.

“It was only until Wike came that Ekpeye had several projects. At the last count, I told my boys to give me counts, over 18 projects. The Campus of Rivers State University in Ahoada, the road between Ahoada and Omoku done by Julius Berger.

“Even Ochigba Road here was done by Wike, it was awarded by the Amaechi’s government and abandoned. Though I wasn’t in the PDP, Wike still did the road and commissioned it. It shows that he understands that governance is about the people, the masses.”

He said empowerment is to bring projects that can give people the means of livelihood, adding that Wike as governor empowered the company in Ahoada and the firm did the Ogbogu road.

The former Deputy Speaker said, “You do not abandon projects because you didn’t award them, or because those who sponsored the company are not with you. You should think about the state; when you do otherwise, you de-market the state.

“I am supporting Wike hundred per cent because many of them who were in power as governors used their offices to embark on a witch-hunt of Rivers’ sons and daughters. I have borne the brunt of their witch-hunt, many of you are aware of that.”

He advised those in leadership positions to have a large heart, noting that people who are “parochial” or small minded can’t make good leaders, saying, “That is why I like Wike. People who were in the APC who opposed Wike have now joined him, because he forgave them.”

He urged the party leaders to allow party structures at the ward and local government levels to function in order to give the people a sense of belonging, adding, “If there are meetings, compile names of people who you think should be invited”.