APC governors have failed their states, says Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday said All Progressives Congress (APC) governors have failed their states.

He challenged them to showcase projects they delivered.

Wike spoke when the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, inaugurated the rehabilitated and expanded Tombia Road, Ndoni Street and Amaji Street in New GRA Phase 2, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state as part of an urban renewal programme.

Both governors accused the APC of suppressing the opposition and scheming for a one-party state.

The governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said only PDP governors were developing and delivering infrastructural projects.

Wike was quoted as saying: “A few weeks ago, I was invited by the governor of Benue State to and commission some projects. I went and I did commission not less than three road projects.

“They received us very well and I did say to him that the people of Rivers State will also like him to come and also commission projects in the state so that Nigerians will know that the opposition party is the party that means well for the development of this country.

“We challenge the ruling party to roll out projects and invite people to come and commission them.”

Wike described his Benue counterpart as a forthright, courageous man, committed to the development of his people.

He explained that when Ortom was undergoing persecution and intimidation, he stood firm, and stayed with the people, a quality he said endeared him to the Benue governor.

Wike said his relationship with Ortom was designed to make both states and the PDP to move forward.

He said: “One of the reasons I invited the governor of Benue here is to let people know that there are people who are committed to the growth and development of this country.

“There are people who will never be intimidated because of their views; who stand against injustice in this country.

“Governor Ortom is one of those governors that will stand firm in whatever he believes in. He does not care whether you’ll deny the people of Benue State what is due to them.

“He will still say the truth as it is. You all know what has happened in Benue, what he has passed through, how they have tried to intimidate him but he has stood firm and said no.

“That’s the same thing we are doing here. No matter all the intimidation and what they are trying to do to us, we have stood firm to defend the interest of our state.

“So, I will like to associate with people like this and that will make our state, our party and will make our country to move forward.”

Ortom said God destined him and Wike to work together as brothers and friends in speaking up for the voiceless and marginalised people in the country.

He said Nigeria had since 2015 ceased to be a country where equity, justice and fairness were promoted.

Ortom said when PDP was the ruling party, it never suppressed other parties, alleging that the APC was driving the country along one party line.