Rivers visit: I'll not marginalise any part of Nigeria

Add as a preferred source

Ahead of May 29 Swearing-in ceremony, President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised that his administration will not marginalise but work with every part of the country in areas of development.

The president-elect, who is on a two-day visit to the state to inaugurate projects executed by the Governor Nyesom Wike administration, made the pledge on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

According to a statement released by Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, from the office of the President-elect, Tinubu made the promise at the opening of Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Flyover Bridge.

“I will not marginalise any region, but will leave legacy projects across the length and breadth of Nigeria,” he 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 while as well, thanked Wike and the people of the State for their support during the February 25 presidential election.

He 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 retuned 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,” he added.

In his speech, Wike said the invitation for Tinubu to commission projects in the state was a fulfillment of promise made during the President-elect’s campaign visit to Rivers.

He expressed appreciation to Tinubu for agreeing to visit Rivers 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 event was attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. 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 governor-elect of Rivers State, Mr Sim Fubara, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, Mr Dele Alake and Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim Imam, among others.

READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE