TheCable

Olusegun Mimiko, former governor of Ondo, says Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, has been a “countervailing force” protecting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

Mimiko said this on Wednesday during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of the Azikiwe-Iloabuchi road in Port Harcourt, the Rivers capital.

There have been speculations over if Wike will support the PDP in the 2023 elections, following the controversy in the party since the Rivers governor lost the presidential and vice-presidential tickets.

According to Mimiko, the Rivers governor has played a critical role in making the PDP a strong opposition party, and in preventing the ruling party from foisting a one-party system on Nigerians.

“Beyond the self-evident physical transformation, you (Wike) have stood as a bulwark against those sworn to emasculate the main opposition party, all in their bid to force a one-party state down the throats of Nigerians,” he said.

“You were at one point virtually a one-man countervailing force, defending and protecting our dear PDP. You have also, through bold legal challenges, deepened the national consciousness of the defects in the running of our defective federal system.

“I am sure you will remain committed to the struggle to entrench a true federal system that will engender real development across all ethnic nationalities and across all religious persuasions in this country.”

Mimiko said Wike has done well for the PDP, adding that he hopes the party’s leadership will do all it takes to resolve “challenges threatening its cohesion”.

“Your excellency, our party, the PDP, a party for which you have laboured so much, seems saddled with the historical duty of forging this unity, a unity premised on truth, equity and justice, a unity upon which rescuing Nigeria from the far-from-satisfactory performance of the past seven years will be built,” he said.

“It is a mission that must be accomplished. A mission for which you are specially positioned and favoured to play a major role; a mission that must be subscribed to by all lovers of our country.

“You have doubtlessly done well for PDP and I can assure you that the preponderance of leadership and membership know your worth. I pray that the party will do all it has to do to meet the challenges threatening its cohesion and move on to pose a successful outing in the next election.”

In his address, Wike said the construction of roads in the state capital is in fulfilment of the promise he made to the people.

“This is the last project here in Port Harcourt I think I’m going to embark upon before I leave office. All the promises I have made in Port Harcourt, I have fulfilled,” he said.

“Let me tell the people here, we have paid Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 80 percent of the contract money. Julius Berger is owing us now. So, it is not a question of coming here to tell you that we will do this road and at the end of the day, we don’t do it.

“I want to say the money for the compensation is ready. As I go back now, I will treat the file and those whose houses are affected must be paid before Monday, 15th August, 2022.”