The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has said the award President Muhammadu Buhari bestowed upon him will be used to campaign in the 2023 elections.
Dedicating the award to the state, Wike said his administration’s success in infrastructural development won’t have been possible without the people’s support.
He spoke during a dinner/reception in his honour to celebrate the ‘Distinguished Award in Infrastructure Delivery’ held in Port Harcourt on Monday.
He said, “We must all work together. Traditional rulers help Rivers State to move forward. Contractors, all of you should help Rivers State so that Rivers State can be what it used to be, the foundation Dr. Peter Odili laid.
“So I thank all of you, and I dedicate this award to God Almighty and to all of you who have prayed for us to achieve what we have achieved. The award is not to me. It is to all of you. I feel proud to say if the ruling party can say you have done well, who is that person? Let them come and campaign here.
“Bring your report card. I will bring the award and the certificate. President Buhari said I have done well.”
I’ve not promised to make anyone my successor – Wike
On who will be his successor, Wike stated that he had not promised the seat to anyone because that is God’s duty.
This is as he challenged anyone with claims that he had already picked a successor to come forward.
He said, “I told my people it is God that gives power. There is never any day I sat with anybody. I challenged whoever would say he sat with me, and I promised him he would be the governor.
“If anybody can come out and challenge me, I will resign as Governor of Rivers State.”
He added, “You want to become Governor? Is there anybody who dashed me, governor? I worked, I fought for it. You, go and fight.”
The governor emphasised that people must learn to keep to agreements, adding that he was leaving office happy and fulfilled.
He said, “So people should try to keep agreements reached with people. Agreement is agreement. When I agree with you, I will keep to it. That is why they are having problems there. They can sleep.
“I am going, and I am also happily going. I don’t have any regrets. In fact, I told my wife that now I have no job, you will kiss me till you get tired.”