Watching Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (N.E.W.) of Rivers State make his very maiden broadcast in 2015 on assumption of office as the State Governor was a refreshing moment and a clear breakaway from the old ways of doing things which never yielded the tax payers any productive or fruitful dividends. He brilliantly outlined his grand vision for Rivers and set out a roadmap for achieving a new and beautiful Rivers. Today he has largely succeeded, with numerous empirical evidences.
Through his smart and cerebral disposition he was able to identify early, the power of balanced executive judgment, especially in decision making and has used it to build bridges of favours and political leverage that has sustained him and his political empire from 2015 up till date. When faced with danger(s), Wike’s most potent response has always been tact and not tantrums.
As a man truly and fully prepared and set out for the job, he was not overwhelmed by the challenges he met on ground, particularly on the issues of poor educational system, insecurity, environmental pollution and infrastructure deficits, he rose to the occasion with his hands-on team of very competent people hired from across different walks of life, and he succeeded in changing and transforming the state into a mega city status that it deserves in tandem with his original blueprint and according to record time.
As the extraordinary statesman rolls out campaign across the 6 geo-political zones in the country to drive his presidential campaign, every principled democratic elements acorss board are expected to throw their weights behind this shining icon of democracy, whose illustrious career, ideas, battles, patriotism and service to the nation offer an inspiration to the younger generation.
For N.E.W. the road to fame was long and tortuous, but it is also true that he is an uncommon politician with rich curriculum vitae before venturing into active politics. He had worked hard and made fortunes in his private business engagements. He relishes his legal professional calling with many indelible records of note and worth. He confronted life difficulties with uncommon courage, converting the vicissitudes into an opportunity to struggle, work hard and excel.
Wike truly means business and he is fantastically pursuing his dream with tenacity of purpose. He recently developed the mantra: ’Power is not served a la carte.’ He genuinely put all he had into the political process, seizing the politics of Rivers State by the storm with the people on his side.
Today, even beyond Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) cirlce, Wike is being celebrated for his power of ideas, legendary organisational capability, sound strategy, mobilisation prowess, administrative acumen, superlative talent hunt, noblest examples of political sagacity and accommodation, and permanent loyalty to cherished democratic principles as well as ability to speak truth to power no matter whose ox is gored.
Records of his performance overtly proved him as a national asset; a tested and trusted leader, a visionary, thinker and gregarious, kindhearted; and a man of the people with trailblazeling attributes.
Wike is an experienced leader and many Nigerians are convinced that the nation needs him in the next dispensation beyond PDP ticket. He is eminently qualified for the position, he is a bridge builder across regional, ethnic and religious lines and he is capable of uniting the country.
N.E.W. has worked so hard for the PDP, he is not new to global politics and will certainly apply his extensive networks to project Nigeria’s image as well as boost the economy of the country.
Without being biased, the journey to Aso Villa looks smooth for Wike, therefore he shouldn’t be distracted by the vituperations of the political quislings, but contest the 2023 Presidential election. N.E.W. is a patriot in words, in actions, and in deeds, a leading light among the people. He is a detribalised Nigerian with a national outlook, an accomplished politician and a seasoned administrator whose constructive criticisms have been a thorn in the flesh for the ruling party so as to give Nigeria the good it deserves, politically and socio-economically.
▪︎ Emmanuel Ajibulu wrote from FCT Abuja, is a public affairs analyst, social media influencer, writer and publisher of online magazine, veracitydesk.com.ng
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
