BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not regret nominating him as a minister, given his track record as a ‘performer’.
Wike made the submission to Senators during his ministerial screening, boasting that he executed and commissioned a series of capital projects, across Rivers when he served as governor.
“Every day I was commissioning projects. Mr President will not regret nominating me as a minister,” he assured the lawmakers, even as Senator Mpigi Barinada (PDP, Rivers) claimed that over five (5) million people from Rivers State are solidly behind Wike’s ministerial nomination and urged the Red legislative chamber should give him their nod.
Wike further stated that his duty tour as Governor from May 2015 to May 2023, witnessed the commencement and completion of numerous projects targeted at improving general infrastructure in the state with invitations extended to many politicians across party lines to commission the projects.
According to him; “These things can be achieved if you are committed, if you have passion for the job”, adding that unfortunately, there are many former governors desiring to be a minister but without any passion the serve the country and the citizens.
Specifically, the ex-Rivers State Chief Executive said; “There are so many people who wants to be ministers for the sake that ‘I was a governor’, for the sake that ‘I was a minister’ but there are those who say, ‘Look, what do I have to offer? Am I committed to this job?’
“I thank Mr President for nominating me. I believe, knowing how hungry Mr President is to solving the problems of Nigeria, we have no choice but to give him that required support. And I can assure you, if I am confirmed in whatever capacity, Mr President will not regret nominating me”.
Following Wike’s introductory remarks, President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio, attested to his competence and capacity to deliver in office and subsequently asked him to take a bow as the red chamber cleared him through a voice vote to serve as Minister in the Tinubu administration.
Wike was the second nominee to be screened on the day that the Senators lined up a total of 16 of the 28 nominees for screening. The Upper Legislative Chamber commenced the screening of the first batch of nominees during plenary following the transmission of the ministerial list to the National Assembly (NASS) last Thursday by President Tinubu.
With the second batch of the Ministerial list still being expected, Barrister Wike, also a minister during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, is, for now, the only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart picked to serve in the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
