Alade deleke Abayomi
The immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has assured President Bola Tinubu, that he would not regret nominating him to serve as a minister in his cabinet.
According to Nairametrics, Wike said this when he appeared before the Senate for screening as a ministerial nominee on Monday afternoon at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
Wike, who is the only chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in the ministerial list sent to the upper legislative chamber last Thursday, had arrived at the National Assembly earlier this afternoon in the company of his wife and some associates.
The former governor while introducing himself during the screening, gave a brief rundown of his public service from Chairman of one of the biggest local government areas in Rivers State to Chief of Staff to Rivers State Governor, to being a minister under former President Jonathan’s administration and then 2-term governor of Rivers State.
During the screening exercise, Wike told the Senators that during his time as governor of the oil-rich Niger Delta state from May 2015 to May 2023, he started and completed many projects to improve the infrastructure of the state and that he invited politicians across party lines to commission them.
He said, “These things can be achieved if you are committed if you have passion for the job.’
“There are so many people who want 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 solve 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.’
Earlier, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, had extolled the former governor stating that he was thrilled by the work he did in Rivers State.
After his introductory speech, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, attested to Wike’s competence and capacity to deliver in office and subsequently asked him to take a bow.
Meanwhile, the Rivers chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has commended President Bola Tinubu for nominating the former governor of the state as one of his Ministers.
The party noted that the decision by Tinubu to nominate Wike and other prominent Nigerians with proven track records, to serve the nation is being hailed by progressive-minded Nigerians as a masterstroke in ongoing efforts to reclaim their country.
Premium Politics reported that they made this known in a statement signed by Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, former Spokesman of its State Campaign Organization in the state.
He said, “The current APC government which is being hailed worldwide for its resolve to provide typical Nigerian solutions to Nigeria’s teething socio-economic and sociopolitical problems have decided to embark on a bi-partisan approach in order to rebrand and rebuild our great country”.
