President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to work evenly for the country without marginalising any part in areas of development.
Tinubu, who lauded Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike for developing the state’s infrastructure, however said he would have to be lobbied to refund any money to the state for projects done.
He said this Wednesday in Port Harcourt ahead of his inauguration as president come May 29.
The president-elect is on a two-day visit to the state to inaugurate projects executed by the Wike administration.
Speaking during the commissioning of Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Flyover Bridge, Tinubu said: “I will not marginalise any region, but will leave legacy projects across the length and breadth of Nigeria.”
A statement signed by Abdulaziz Abdulaziz on behalf of the Office of the President-elect, said Tinubu praised Governor Wike for the development strides in Rivers state, particularly for the 12 flyovers constructed across the capital city, saying posterity would kindly remember him.
He said with his accomplishments in the state, Nigeria would need the outgoing Rivers governor in higher capacities.
On the political front, Tinubu thanked Wike and the people of Rivers state for their support for him.
The president-elect said he was in the state in line with the promise he made during the campaigns in Rivers, saying “if you make a promise, you keep it.
“I will never forget the pivotal role the great and wonderful people of this state played in my victorious campaign to become the next president of this country. You have my eternal gratitude.
“In His Excellency, Governor Wike, I see a man of principle. He took a principled stand that the presidency should be returned to the South; and he had the courage to stand by his convictions, not minding whose ox was gored.
“He is, indeed, a man of great integrity. He did not choose to serve his own interests, rather, the interests of the nation and the people of Rivers State. I thank him for his selfless leadership.
“You promoted unity, you promoted fairness, you championed justice. Thank you.” he added.
“I went through a gruesome campaign, fought hard, supported by many of you and I won. Fair and square. Nyesom, I say thank you for your contribution to my victory. I couldn’t have done it without some structural support as not describable in a flyover,” he said.
Wike speaks
In his remarks, Governor Wike said inviting Tinubu to commission projects in the state was a fulfilment of promise made during the President-elect’s campaign visit to Rivers.
He expressed appreciation to Tinubu for agreeing to visit to the state and perform the commissioning.
Wike, who threw jibes at the leadership of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), applauded the election of Tinubu which, he said, had shamed naysayers.
The governor who said the state had to amend its procurement law to enable it source funds and complete the various flyover projects in embarked up in record time, said the projects ought to have been done by the federal government.
“And unfortunately too, these projects ought to be federal government projects because they are federal roads.
“If we had said because they are federal government roads, and we won’t do it. Who are those to suffer?
“Since we have said we don’t want our people to suffer, I also believe that the federal government should say look, you have done well for us. These are projects we should be doing, can you bring your bill, let us refund you the money you have done these roads.
“That is what it is supposed to be for a partnership with a good federal government. I can assure you as you enter the office and you approve to pay this money back, other states will have the courage to also do the same thing.
“I am not asking what we are not entitled to. The Federal Government should say you are a true son of this government you have removed shame from us,” Wike said.
Tinubu responds
Responding to Wike’s request, President-elect Tinubu subtly turned down the governor’s request for refund in respect of the projects.
Tinubu said: “The 12th flyover and the demand you made for refund, I owe you nothing. It is your road.
“You can’t chuckle at me and make a demand. You are the one living on this road. I commend your effort. You have to lobby me to collect it.”
…Rollcall
The event was attended by Speaker House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila and Governors Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Hope Uzodinma (Imo).
Others were former governors Dr Peter Odili (Rivers), Chief Bisi Akande (Osun), Chief James Ibori (Delta), Dr Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Chief Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa) and Chief Ayo Fayose (Ekiti).
Others in attendance include Rivers state Governor-elect Sim Fubara, Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare, Mr. Dele Alake and Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim Imam, among others.
…Shehu Sani knocks Wike
Meanwhile, a former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central, Senator Shehu Sani, has blasted Governor Wike for declaring a public holiday and shutting down businesses in the state over the president-elect’s visit
He described the governor’s action as a sign of “desperation for favours.”
In a statewide broadcast Tuesday, Wike declared Wednesday a public holiday to enable residents of the state come out en masse to welcome Tinubu to the state.
He also ordered that all shops and business premises on the Rumuola to Rumuokwuta axis in the Obio/Akpor local government area of the state should be closed from 8.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Wednesday.
The governor also directed labour unions and security agencies to ensure compliance with the closure order.
Condemning Wike’s action, Sani wrote on his verified Twitter handle Wednesday: “Commissioning a project is a mark of a great achievement. Kudos.
“But grounding the economic, social & educational activities of the state for that purpose is a mark of desperation for favours & accommodation by a lickspittle. Tinubu can say no to that or else it becomes the norm.”
