Written by Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt
River State Governor Nyesom Wike challenged his colleagues in the ruling Congress of All Progressives (APC) to present projects they have carried out in their various states.
Wike was challenged on Tuesday when he was governor of the state of Benue; Samuel Ortom opened Tombia Road, Ndoni Street and Amaji Street in the new GRA Phase 2, the Obio-Akpor local government area in the state.
In a statement signed by his special assistant for the media, Kelvin Ebiri, the governor said that only PDP governors develop and deliver infrastructure projects in their various states.
He said such projects have continued to improve people’s well-being by insisting that development only happens in states under the control of the PDP.
He said: “A few weeks ago, the governor of the state of Benue invited me to come and order some projects. I went and ordered at least three travel projects.
“They received us very well and I told him that the residents of the state of Rivers will like him to come and also order projects in the state. So Nigerians will know that the opposition party is the party that means well for the development of this country.
“We are challenging the ruling party to tell its states to launch projects and invite people to come and order them.”
Wike described his colleague from Benue as a man of honest, brave man who was committed to the development of his people.
He explained that when Ortom was persecuted and intimidated, he stood firm and stayed with the people, which he said attracted him to Governor Benue.
Wike said his relationship with Ortom was designed to move the rivers and states of Benue, including the PDP, forward.
He said: “One of the reasons why I have called Governor Benue here is to inform people that there are people who are committed to the growth and development of this country. There are people who will never be intimidated by their attitudes. There are people who oppose injustice in this country.
“Governor Ortom is one of the governors who will stand firm in what he believes in. He doesn’t care if you deny the residents of the state of Benue what they owe. He will continue to tell the truth as it is. You all know what happened in the state of Benue, what he went through, how they tried to intimidate him, but he stood firm and said no.
“It’s the same thing we do here. Despite all the intimidation and what they are trying to do to us, we have stood firmly in defense of the interests of our state. And so for myself, I would love to hang out with people like this, which will make our state, our party and our country move forward. ”
In his remark, Ortom said that God ordained him and Wike to work together as brothers and friends in advocating for the voiceless and marginalized people in the country.
He said that since 2015, Nigeria has ceased to be a country where justice, fairness and equity are promoted.
He said there is no security in Nigeria, adding that the economy is also in poor condition due to the depreciation that Naira has suffered under the leadership of the APC.
He further lamented the rising unemployment rate in a country that had fueled youth unrest labeled #EndSARS protest.
He said: “Today, there are no more jobs for our youth. This led to a youth agitation called #EndSars Protest. I don’t think any righteous man should think about leaving the PDP for any other party or even the ruling party.
“We cannot be a one-party state. In 2015, the PDP did not suppress the opposition party from making Nigeria a one-party state. Then, it is no longer a democracy and that is why we want to thank Governor Wike for standing as PDP calls.
“Wike is a very strong voice not only in the state of Rivers but throughout the country. He is a brave and fearless leader, who stands for justice, fairness and justice. And that is what we need in our country today.
“Like today, the ruling party did not give us justice, fairness and justice. That is why we have problems in this country. “
Ortom said when the PDP was the ruling party; he never suppressed other parties by claiming that the APC led the country along one party line.
He said: “There came a time when I was an exile and when my people in the state of Benue were rejected. No one cared about the visit for fear of persecution. We were like lepers in the Bible.
“Still, Wike got up and came all the way to Benue State to see how we were behaving. At that time, we had over 500,000 IDPs in the camps. It was not easy to manage for these people. Wike came with very eminent leaders from the state of Rivers.
“He gave us support that we never expected more than any other support, including what others did. We appreciate that and pray that something like this doesn’t come to Rivers State. “