Mimiko hails Wike’s advocacy for true federalism

Gov insists politics not mere talking but providing amenities, public services

Former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, has commended Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on his advocacy for national development and effective political leadership.

He said Wike’s bold legal challenges had deepened the national consciousness concerning the defective federal system and true federalism.

The virtues, according to him, have doubtlessly changed the physical landscape of Rivers State.

Mimiko, according to a statement by Wike’s Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, spoke when he performed the flag-off of construction work for the dualisation of Azikiwe-Iloabuchi Road in Mile 2, Diobu, Port Harcourt, yesterday.

He said: “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.

“You were, at one point, virtually a one-man countervailing force defending and protecting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). You have also, through bold legal challenges, deepened the national consciousness on the defects in the running of a defective federal system.”

The former Ondo State governor said he was sure that Wike would remain committed to the struggle to entrench a true federal system that will engender real development across all ethnic nationalities and all religious persuasions in Nigeria.

In his speech, Wike said that elders of the state like Chief Azubuike Nmerukini and Austin Opara mounted pressure on him to intervene on the road being flagged off.

He said the flag-off would be the last of such projects to execute within the Port Harcourt metropolis because in keeping with his promises of restoring the Garden city status, every road has been reconstructed.

“As a man, who respects leaders, I have to honour them by making sure this road is awarded and by making sure that this road will be completed within six months.”

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

The governor also gave the assurance that issues about compensation for a property marked for demolition would be paid in good time so that nothing will interfere with the stipulated completion time.