Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said his team was more interested in a better Nigeria, and it is consulting widely with those who mean well for the country.
Shortly on arrival from London at the Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa, he confirmedthe group’s meetings with Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi and former President Olusegun Obasanjo in London.
Wike, who was in the company of Benue State, Mr Samuel Ortom and Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, explained that topmost on the agenda was how to make Nigeria better than what it is currently.
He said that all is not well with Nigeria and the discussants are seeking remedies that would restore enduring hope in Nigeria.
“I can confirm that this is the first time as a team that we are meeting with presidential candidates. For whatever it’s worth, consultation is ongoing.
“Whatever we are talking about is for the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. It is not parochial and tied to one person or group of persons.
“We believe that with what is going on, it will be for the interest of Nigerians at the end of the day,” Wike disclosed.
He decried the situation where standard, training and competence have always been traded for mediocrity, adding that leadership should not be about one individual and the interest of his family, but about the collective interest of everybody.
The governor further said: “Never mind some people who do not believe in the existence of this country.
“Leadership is not about you and your family. Leadership is about everybody. It’s unfortunate that we are in a country now where a man finishes eight years as a governor and brings his own son as a governor too and as a member of the National Assembly.
“It’s only in this part of the world that you can see that when we are talking about poverty everywhere. These are people who do not mean well for this Nigeria”.
Wike also wondered why religion and ethnicity are used as the tenable identity to describe Nigerians when competence is required.
“The only identity they have in this country is religion and ethnicity, nothing more. It’s either I’m a Christian or I’m a Moslem, I’m a Fulani or I’m an Igbo. Nigeria cannot move forward except they think it will be them. That’s where we are.
“We are in a country where someone with a primary school certificate can be appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. That tells you how bad this country has become.
“But with our consultation, all these will be a thing of the past. No amount of intimidation or blackmail will deter us. We are determined to right the wrong,” he added.
The leader of the team, Ortom noted that the delegation has met with renowned persons in the last few days because of their belief that Nigeria is in distress and required concerted effort to rescue it.
He stated that they had fruitful talks with those they had met and it was beyond partisan politics, because well-meaning Nigerians need to work together in ensuring that Nigeria survives.
Ortom said: “For us, we are looking at the larger picture. Nigeria today is in distress. It is about what can we do. No man or woman alone can get it right for our country.
“We are looking at how we can harness ideas and put ourselves together to ensure that we get out of the present challenge we are in Nigeria today.
“From top to bottom, consider what has happened from 2015 and where we are today. So, what we are doing is a concern that we have for our country, Nigeria.
“This is beyond partisan politics. We are looking on how we can come together and find a way of ensuring that Nigeria survives. Nigeria is on drip, Nigeria is on oxygen and it is about how can we get out of this”.
He stated that the three separate meetings they had within the week were worthwhile session for them.
“The consultation is going on and will continue to go on. We are still going to meet here. We are still going to meet some persons some other time and see how we can work to ensure that the project Nigeria works”, he said.
On his part, Ikpeazu emphasised that they are on a mission and are determined to find a way of rescuing Nigeria.
He noted that they are mindful of what society to bequeath to the present generation, their children and grandchildren alike.
He said: “And this is a country with great potential and we have to protect it well. We think that we need to engage across the board.
“We are also looking at speaking with civil society organisations and those who have ideas, with Nigerians in the diaspora.
“All the resources available in this country have to come together at this time to see how best we can move Nigeria forward”.
