Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has urged Nigerians to work together to salvage the country from current political and socio-economic woes.
He pointed out that development can only be achieved in a society that promotes good governance that was predicated on the rule of law.
Wike made the assertion when he hosted the former Emir of Kano and Grand Khaleefa of the Tijaniyyan Order in Nigeria, Muhammad Sanusi II, on a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
According to Wike, the country’s economy was not doing well and everyday Nigerians also wake up to the tales of bad news that have exerted excruciating pains on them.
Wike maintained that everybody can attest to the fact that things are not well in Nigeria, and it does not matter how pretenders try to exonerate themselves from the happenings.
“We should brace up; it behooves on all Nigerians to say, ‘we must work together to salvage our country’. We must work together to move this country forward. It doesn’t matter where you come from.
“Because poverty does not know Fulani, it does not know Hausa, it does not know Igbo, it does not know Yoruba, it does not know other ethnic groups.”
Speaking further, Wike reiterated that Rivers State would continue to be a place where every Nigerian can reside and consider as home.
But, he insisted that it was also obligatory on all residents in the state to conduct their affairs within the confines of the law and be orderly.
The governor said it was the place of government to provide development for its people and ensure safety of all residents.
He also noted that it was wrong for some residents to view government’s development policy and efforts to provide security from the prism of religion or ethnicity.
“Rivers State, for me, is a place for all Nigerians. Wherever you come from, whether you’re from the East, you’re from the North, you’re from the West or you’re from the South; whatever your religion, is immaterial to me. All of us are Nigerians, and we do things in common.
“The only thing I have always craved for is law and order. For people to understand that no society can progress without behaving orderly, without obeying the law. When you have a lawless society with no security, you can imagine the kind of state it will be.”
Wike enjoined the former emir to advice his followers in the state to obey the law and live orderly.
The governor explained that the relocation of the former Oginigba Slaughter Market in Trans-Amadi Industrial Area was a measure taken to curb the level of criminality in the area.
He said it was rather unfortunate that instead of people accepting the genuine efforts of government to create a peaceful state for everybody, some were seeing it as a measure of hatred against them.
“But as a state, you also owe that duty to protect your citizens, protect the business people, protect the property. So, when we took that decision, the next thing was that, he is demolishing where Fulanis and Hausas are. And I said, ‘what type of country are we’?.
“How can we live under this kind of situation? You take a decision that is for the interest of everybody, they said it’s because I don’t like them. So, if I don’t like them, why have I not closed the other slaughters?” he asked.
Wike also stated that the construction of the Nkpolu-Oroworukwo flyover in Port Harcourt has nothing to do with tribe or religion, but to further the development agenda of the state and provide safety for all residents.
“We are trying to put our state in such manner that people doing business or who live in the state will have that sense of protection.”
Stating his reasons for the courtesy call, the former Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, said he was on familiarisation tour to leaders and members of Tijaniyyan Order who were resident in Rivers State because he was their Grand Khaleefa.
He noted with delight the quality of leadership demonstrated by Wike in making Rivers State home for all Nigerians.
Sanusi also acknowledged the quality of public infrastructure, the development strides and security provided for all residents by the Wike-led administration.
“This is part of the familiarisation tour to meet with the leaders and members of the order here in Port Harcourt. I will like to thank the governor, they have informed me of the support they have received, and we have watched closely the efforts of your administration to make Rivers a home for all Nigerians; to make all Nigerians feel they’re true citizens of this country, and to protect lives and property and the freedom of persons.”
He assured the governor that the order does not tolerate extremism, but advocates peace, brotherhood, togetherness, solidarity and progress of the country.
“I would like to assure you that this order is a Sufi Order, it is a peaceful order. We do not have among us any extremist. We do not encourage any kind of criminal activity. We advocate peace, brotherhood, togetherness, solidarity.
“Our interest would be the progress of this country. But we are committed as a group to play our role in supporting leadership that will bring development to the Nigerian people because we are convinced that if the leadership of the country and the sub-nationals is not up to speed, all of us suffer. If we have good leaders, all Nigerians benefit”, he added.
