Governor Wike , the Ebullient fighter ~ by Engr Tele Ikuru

By Engr Tele Ikuru former deputy governor , rivers state

There comes a time when everyone must take a position on happenings within his environment. In the last several weeks, I have seen Governor Wike throw his safety and comfort out of the window and place himself as a sacrificial lamb for the good of Rivers State and her people. Not caring about his own health (Covid’19 is not a respecter of anyone), he personally took the gauntlet to curtail the spread of the dreaded virus in Rivers State despite the sabotage he encountered from other state actors. In much the same way he fought the cultists and kidnappers to a complete standstill in Rivers State.

That we still have a limited spread of covid’19 cases in Rivers State is directly attributable to the long-range decision and proactive actions he took. Governor Wike has shown leadership at a time when even the Federal Government has become rudderless and unable to proffer policy direction. Therefore, when I hear some ill-informed, social media slay-kings castigating the Governor over the demolition of hotels in Eleme and Onne, I knew I had to add my voice to at-least set the record straight.
Impatience seems to be one attributes we have in short supply. Before we have the full facts of events, we have already reached a conclusion and pass judgement.
Truth be told, no elected Governor will just wake up and order the pulling down of business premises, not the least, one who is vast in law and elected under the circumstances that Governor Wike emerged.
Therefore, I beg to disagree that Governor Wike will be so callous and unmindful to order the pulling down of hotels if all is well with the said hotels and the activities carried out therein. when such occurrence ensues, we need to interrogate to get the real facts rather than fly to the social media to quickly make unsubstantiated statements.
For the records, Under the anti-cultism law of Rivers State, whenever a cultist is identified, the law prescribes seizure and demolition of all proceeds of his crime. Though the owner of the hotels is a PDP youth leader, the fact that he was carrying a gun and that he shot at and injured some members of the state Covid’19 task force (some are still in the intensive care unit), require the invocation of the relevant law. Governor Wike did not hesitate to allow the hands of the law to intervene. The youth leader has since been declared wanted. The said hotels have been identified as proceed of crime. The law of the state prescribes the demolition of such property. The Governor followed the due process prescribed by the law. The demolition was the last stage.
While the ill-informed are busy castigating Governor Wike, the people of Eleme are in silent jubilation over the removal of the cancerous hotels from amongst them.
Thank you, Governor Wike, our ebullient fighter. Fight on. Our prayers are with you and the enemies of Rivers State will not overcome you.