Former Rivers State Governor, Engr. Nyesom Wike, has told the Senate ministerial screening committee on Monday that President Bola Tinubu would not regret nominating him to serve in his cabinet.
Wike is the only leader of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the ministerial list of the All Progressives Congress-led administration sent by the President to the Senate last Thursday.
Wike told the Senators that, during his time as governor from May 2015 to May 2023 he started and completed many projects to improve the infrastructure of the state and that he invited politicians across party lines to commission them.
“These things can be achieved if you are committed, if you have passion for the job”, Wike told the lawmakers.
He said there are many former governors who desire to be a minister but who do not have passion the serve Nigerians.
“There are so many people who wants to be ministers for the sake that ‘I was a governor’, for the sake that ‘I was a minister’ but there are those who say, ‘Look, what do I have to offer? Am I committed to this job?’
“I thank Mr. President for nominating me. I believe, knowing how hungry Mr President is to solving the problems of Nigeria, we have no choice but to give him that required support. And I can assure you, if I am confirmed in whatever capacity, Mr President will not regret nominating me”, said the former governor, who was a minister during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
After his introductory comment, Senate President Godswill Akpabio attested to Wike’s competence and capacity to deliver in office and subsequently asked him to take a bow as the red chamber cleared him for ministerial role in the Tinubu government.
Following the transmission of President Tinubu’s ministerial list to the red chamber last Thursday, the Senate commenced the screening of the first batch of the nominees on Monday afternoon.
