Cover Story:
2019: Rivers Yearns More Of Wike

Governor (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, since his assumption of office on May 29, 2015, as the sixth democratically elected governor of Rivers State, set sail with a legitimate vision: “To build a state that is truly united, secure and prosperous with boundless opportunities for everyone who lives in it to peacefully pursue their goals and realize their full potentials in dignity and happiness.” This is informed by a deep belief that what affects Rivers State, affects his strategic region and Nigeria - for good or ill. On the surface this appears a tough call. Indeed it is. But the challenges have indisputably brought out the best in him. The SUPREMACY Magazine in this special report captures the Governor Wike’s inimitable trajectory.


When on 11th April, 2015, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike won the Rivers gubernatorial election by a landslide, indigenes, residents of Rivers state and indeed, those who know his antecedents, were not surprised that he achieved that monumental feat. Before serving at the national level, Wike is a grassroot politician who traversed from local government to the Rivers Government House. Despite the amalgam of opposition led by the then incumbent governor of the state, Hon Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Wike was able to triumph. For those who knew him very well, the strong man of Rivers politics in him merely resonated.

In that election, Wike, who was then former minister of state, Education, defeated the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dakuku Peterside and Labour Party candidate, Tonye Princewill. He scored 1,029,102 amounting to 87.77 percent to defeat Peterside who polled 124,896 votes, which is 10.65 percent. A moonslide victory, if you will say.

Prior to the Rivers gubernatorial election, Wike had ran a vigorous, robust and effective campaign that saw him unopposed in the December 8th 2014 Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) primary. Nigerians who may wonder why indigenes of Rivers State and those resident in it will want Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to continue with second tenure despite strong challenge from members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state; do not need to wonder far. There is plethora of reasons.

Governor Nyesom Wike, a renowned politician on the platform of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), had on his inception into office on May 29, 2015, promised to transform the state into the nation’s centre of infrastructural development, economic prosperity, democratic freedom, good governance and deployment of Rivers resources for common good. Before Governor Wike assumed office, his predecessor, Amaechi had told Rivers people that the state was bankrupt after investing a huge state fund in his gigantic Monorail project. Civil servants were also owed months of salaries. The hardship in the state then was linked to political interest, until Wike came on board with a magic wand.

In as much as the nation is also suffering from economic recession which made majority of the governors to become irrelevant with developmental projects in their various states, Governor Wike was able to create history by his chain of projects across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state. Like a man with midas touch, Wike hit the ground running and things were happening everywhere in the state. Sector by sector, he went about doing things.

As promised, Wike has set a new template for development in the country where his party is an opposition at the presidency level. For about three years and five months now, Governor Wike has tried to give hope to the Rivers man and woman through a sustained restoration process, impacting positively on every sector of the state. The administration has revived the state bureaucracy, the road infrastructure, health, education, marine transportation, administration of justice, special projects and improvement of security though with mild tension in some communities following cultism activities of youths induced by politicians.

It would be recalled that the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, who belong to the opposition party (APC), had in one of his visits to the state as Acting President described Governor Wike as Mr. Projects in view of his developmental strides in Rivers. Osinbajo was in Rivers State to consult with leaders on critical development issues, inspected the then yet to be completed Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, the State Ecumenical Centre and performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the doctors Quarters at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt. Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s remark on Governor Wike has since been accepted nationally and internationally. Infrastructural development is no doubt a necessity for the transformation of any city or state. Massive rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion of dilapidated and run down structures is one of the high points of the Rivers State Governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (CON).

It is a known fact that the Governor has injected well over 50 percent of the State’s capital budget into the funding of very critical infrastructural developments and other projects. The Governor’s passion to make a change has seen his efforts bringing to the fore hitherto forgotten and neglected sectors of the state. The impact of his infrastructural development is being felt in virtually every sector of the state.

Since assuming office on May 29, 2015, Governor Wike, a visionary leader has greatly devoted himself to the positive transformation of Rivers State, which obviously occupies a valuable position in a strategic region. He has, without mincing words, sparked an infrastructural revolution at a time when the Nigerian economy is greatly challenged. Some of the developmental strides of Governor Wike so far includes;

Road Construction: Assessment carried out shows that all the three Senatorial Districts of the State have benefited from the road delivery scheme of the Wike administration. Over 350 kilometers of roads have been delivered by Governor Wike. Several other roads are under construction at different stages of completion. Flag off and commissioning of road projects have become the order of the day in the state Some of the roads completed or under construction are key to the rapid development of the benefitting communities. The dualisation of the Sakpenwa-Bori Road that cuts across Tai, Gokana and Khana Local Government Areas and links neighboring Andoni and Opobo Local Government Areas, remains the valued asset to the Ogoni people that will attract more votes to the governor during the 2019 general elections. It was recorded that the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road is one of the most important road since the creation of Rivers State, 50 years ago.

The road is also a key facilitator of economic activities. It is a road with economic and social significance to the riverine populations. The people of Andoni and Opobo Nkoro are continuing to appreciate Governor Wike for translating the vision of this road to reality. Bridges and other major and link roads recently completed by the Wike administration is a story of the commitment of Governor Wike to completing key projects allegedly abandoned by the immediate past administrations in the state.

Healthcare delivery: Governor Wike led administration has put more in the healthcare delivery sector in Rivers. The administration has invested in the improvement of health facilities and services across the state, while taking care of the welfare of professionals in the sector.

In line with the vision of the Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to create access to quality healthcare for the people of Rivers State, the Wike Administration commenced the total rehabilitation of 13 General Hospitals. Aside the development of physical infrastructure in health facilities across the state, the Wike administration has recruited qualified medical professionals to help the state government strengthen access to quality healthcare.

Judicial System: Governor Wike has not only rebranded the judiciary in the state, he has made Rivers state the Judiciary hub of the nation. As at May 29, 2015, the past administration had closed the courts in Rivers State for about two years. Governor Wike opened the courts, swore in the State Chief Judge and President of Customary Court of Appeal and granted financial autonomy to the judiciary. This action has increased Rivers peoples love for him.

Deliberate steps have been taken to improve judicial infrastructure in Rivers State, such as the rehabilitation of High Court complex, the State Customary Court of Appeal complex and other customary courts in Etche, Omuma, and Okrika. The Rivers State Government has also built and commissioned an Ultra-modern Law Centre for the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Federal High Court Complex, Port Harcourt, five story building National Industrial Court and ongoing construction of Rivers State Judges Quarters.

EDUCATION: Wike has taken a bold step to improving the education sector in the state. From primary to tertiary education, sustained investments have led to marked improvements. Recently, the governor had released over N47.6 million intervention funds as subsidy to aid the registration of students in public schools for the 2016/2017 SSCE.

Security: Noting that Rivers State is the economic hub of the nation, he has continued to fight for the security of the state so as to secure environment for investments and smooth businesses.

Following this, Governor Wike initiated and signed into law the anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism law passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly. The law gave the security agencies the legal instrument to tackle kidnappers and cultists. The governor has proposed the amendment of the law, prescribing death penalty for offenders. To also improve the state security, Wike distributed over 200 security vans to all the security agencies in the state to fight crime.

To improve marine security, Governor Wike procured and handed over 8 Security Gunboats to the Nigerian Navy. The process of the acquisition of more security vans for the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Police are ongoing. Meanwhile, the State has also set up the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency (RIVNESCA) to recruit 3000 quality personnel for effective security in the state.

Economic Empowerment/ Job Creation: Official data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, indicate that the economy of Rivers State has bounced back and is functioning effectively for the people of the state. Internally generated revenue is growing; businesses are flourishing, while the people are empowered economically.

For every single project that has been awarded by Governor Wike, the administration always insists on the community empowerment component. A specified percentage of employment is reserved for the youths and women, while community entrepreneurs are given sub-contracts to supply materials for the high profile projects. In the 2017 budget, a cumulative sum of N12 billion was allocated to the relevant line ministries to implement various youth and women development and empowerment schemes.

The administration has created over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs through the state wide execution of projects, empowered families for the good of the majority.

However, some residents and indigenes of Rivers State who spoke with our correspondent, wished that Governor Wike is returned for second tenure, so as to complete his ongoing developmental strides in the state. A young man from the Ikwerre ethnicity, Chizam William, said, “For me, Governor Wike is trying but let him put more effort in his second tenure. Wike has proved to Rivers people that he has the interest of the state at heart. With the on-going projects across the state, we all will want him back to complete the projects.” For Mr Joe Ezuma, a Public commentator and analyst, “If you compare with other government across the country, Nyesom Wike is among the group A.

It is really difficult to assess who is good or not, it depends on the value system. For any government, what people want is good life. Good life entails good road, affordable water, accommodation, employment and adequate health delivery”.

“Any government that can get out all these things can be adjudged to be a good administration. I have said this; the Wike’s administration has done well in road infrastructure and to some extent, security. I could remember that the period before and immediately after his emergence as a governor, the security situation in Rivers was tensed but he has been able to manage and wattle down the tension”.

We are not saying that there are no security threats even there are still killings but Rivers is a special case. So, it takes a man with iron heart to really confront security system here because even politicians manufacture their own insecurity. Then jobless population manufactures their own insecurity. In response to demands of governance, Wike has been able to stir the ship of Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, government here, despite getting attacks from the opposition. He has been able to ensure steady administration here and even launch out to influence what happen in the larger polity as far as his party is concern.

Therefore, Rivers state has become one of the highly rated states when political calculations are being considered. Like you know what happens, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been trying to capture Rivers State and Wike has refused to surrender. That shows how important the state is in the larger polity. So for Wike to have survived all the political encumbrances and maintain a steady administration, to that extent politically he has cut his teeth. On his part, Mr Obed Onyewuchi, a veteran journalist based in Port Harcourt, Wike tried in terms of projects and that is why the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo named him Mr. Project. “Infact he surprised me on so many projects he has done within his over 3 years in office. For instance, he has redesigned the government House. I was shocked with what I saw when I went there for official work”. “Actually, one of the first impressions I have of him was resurfacing of Mile 1, 2 and 3. I love it so much, because those areas are where the votes come from but it has been neglected for so many years. This is where the masses of Diobu live. So the first thing he did was to solidly resurface that area.

Also, the popular second phase of the mile one market that has been abandoned for almost 5 years after it was burnt down, but he came and took over it, less than one year, the building has been completed and he plans commissioning it by December”. “I am not a politician, but a journalist. As a journalist, it is what I see that I say and not what I don’t see. In politics, it is the development initiated by the party that matters to the people and not just singing song or making noise”. A market woman and a native of Okirika, riverine part of the state, Mrs Tamunodiepriye Bamson, said “I will vote Governor Wike again. He is a good man who helps the poor people and God will bless him. This 2019, he will come back as the governor of Rivers State”.

Gender Equality: The Wike administration can comfortably boast of an “A” on gender equality of his administration. According to the Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo; for the fact that the governor has a woman as his deputy has already scored him pass mark as a gender friendly governor. “By working with a female deputy, a thing that has not happened in the state before goes a long way to stress what premium the governor placed in giving women a chance to thrive”. “He is also the first governor in the state to appoint a female as the Chief Judge of the state. He is also the first governor in the state to appoint a female as the President of the state Customary Court of Appeal. Even one-third of our permanent secretaries are females; for the affirmative action, the Rivers state government has already gone beyond what is required. Even in the area of Chairmanship of Boards and Chairmen of Local Government Councils, the government have performed creditably well in accommodating women”, Banigo sums up.

Sports A very key point in social development is sports. Rivers State thankfully has a very proud sporting history and notable personalities, whose names have been written in the sands of time. The state can boast of names like Adokiye Amasiemeka, Richard Owubokiri, Taribo West, Joseph Yobo; boxers like Dokiwari Duncan; table tennis star like, Ethel Jack, sprinters like Iyingiyikabo, just to name a few. But for long every other sports slipped into limbo even football, was quite epileptic.

Worthy of note, also were sports festivals and competitions amongst primary and secondary schools, which gave rise to sports stars, who were groomed to the highest height, but it all fizzled out, probably due to two major factors. One was financial sponsorship and second was the dilapidated structures due to lack of maintenance. Such facilities like the Alfred Diette Spiff Centre and, the basketball Court in town and even the Yakubu Gowon Stadium were no longer conducive for such sporting activities.

In the last two years though, there have been notable advancement in Sports development, particularly infrastructure and human development. The Shark Stadium is wearing a brand new look, swimming pool and all the other facilities in the complex have been renovated and reconstructed to standard to enhance sports development in the State. The Alfred Diette Spiff Sports Complex is under serious overhauling, to make it fit for hosting indoor sports competitions, besides its importance to sports. The added aesthetic effect on the environment is worthy of commendation. There is also ongoing in the complex, the construction of a forty bed hostel for sports men and women. The General Yakubu Gowon Stadium has also been renovated and put into use. It now boasts of a functional indoor sports hall, floodlights, male and female hostels, office blocks, twin volleyball courts, tennis court, a diving pool, an automated water treatment plant to power the pools and an Olympic size swimming pool.

This administration, as a sports friendly government has sponsored a lot of sporting activities to boost sports development; it has also empowered the state contingents to attend sports competition nationally. The state contingent participated in the National Youth Games in Ilorin in 2016, Para-Table Tennis classification in Lagos 2016, Chief of Naval Staff Swimming Championship in Calabar, 2016, CBN Wheelchair Championship in Lagos 2016, Nigeria Boxing Federation Open Championship Lagos 2017, the Judo Cadet and Junior Tournament in Port Harcourt as well as Tyroll and Thompson South-South under 18 male/female Handball in Port Harcourt. But most recently is the Governor Nyesom Wike National Wrestling Championships, which was quite a fanfare.

Also enjoying the sports largesse are the various clubs and teams in the state. The first notable achievement was the merging of the two state owned football teams. The Sharks Football Club and The Dolphins Football Club into a formidable team which was aptly renamed the Rivers United Football Club. This move is not only cost effective but also, has eased stress in the management of the teams. There are now adequate funds to manage the teams effectively. The backlog of salaries and allowances has also been paid to the teams. The female football team was not left behind, as they enjoy improved funding for all their engagements, they boast of producing nine players for the National Female team that won the African Women Championship of 2016 in Cameroun. The moribund State Government owned Basketball Club, was resuscitated and are currently in the prestigious division one of the National basketball league. The backlogs of entitlements were also paid in full by his Excellency. The Rivers State Sports Council has been greatly empowered to participate in various sports events as well as organise their own sporting activities.

Besides, empowering the state teams to attend sporting events, the state Governor has also sponsored sport activities and these include the sponsorship cum partnership in the Go-Round/SWAN Senior Secondary Schools Athletic Championship in 2016. The Joseph Yobo Testimonial Cum Centenary Games in 2016, Victor Ezeji Testimonial Games in 2016. He also sponsored as well as hosted several international football matches in the state, sponsored Burkina Faso and Nigeria nations Cup qualifier match as well as the hosting of Nigeria Super Eagles qualifying match against Swaziland, and also sponsored and hosted the National under twenty three Football team continental matches in addition to camping the team. The first Rivers/Bayelsa Wrestling Championship was also sponsored by the Rivers State Government this year. The SWAN, South-South hosting is an added feather to the already beautiful cap of the State Government. And most recently, the bid for the hosting rights for the Senior African Wrestling Championship for 2018 was sponsored and won by the State Government.

The past two years has witnessed outstanding achievements in the Sports sector of the state, following the massive rehabilitation work. To the various sports personnel and the Sports Commission, the phrase “catch them young,” will definitely come to play. The morale of the athletes and sports administrators alike will be highly boosted. With this, the state can eventually win laurels and boost income generation, with its world class standard facilities.