In every generation there are people who are born to make history. Human actions and events create history in the world. Some where not born with silver spoon but some grew up to invent their silver spoon. The military administration headed by Major Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar handed over power to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on 29th May, 1999, after a successful presidential, National and State Assembly elections in Nigeria. Simultaneously, 36 State Governors were sworn in to assume leadership position as the Executive Governors of the States. In Rivers State Dr. Peter Odili, the then mercurial and only golden governor was at helm of affairs.
He conducted Local Government Council Election that ushered in 23 Local Government Council Chairman. And incidentally, Barr. Nyesom Wike was elected the Executive Council Chairman of Obio/Akpor. Barr. Wike did not lose focus as eventually garnered support and contested for second tenure and won the election under the political platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He developed his political tentacles beyond Rivers State as he became the ALGON Chairman in Nigeria. Wike’s political evolution has begun. He became an astute politician that Rivers politics can not do without. His political prowess and strategies in Rivers State politics makes him a serious stakeholder and political king maker.
Indeed, every tactic and trick to woo him to another party proved abortive. He was resilient and dogged to his party. As he concluded his second tenure of service to humanity, he progressed into king maker and political strategist in 2007. He pitched tent with Rt. Hon. Amaechi and remained the hub and focal point of the mainstream faction of the party. As Rt. Hon. Amaechi won the Judicial victory with the effort and contribution of Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, he was appointed Chief of Staff Government House Port Harcourt. He served as Chief of Staff for about four years. After the victory of 2011 election, he was nominated and appointed a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He served the Federal Government as Minister ofState for Education. Later he served as the supervising minister of the same ministry.
Barr. Nyesom Wike haven developed strong political strategies with the former president, Goodluck Jonathan, nurtured his political ambition beyond the stage of Rivers State. In 2013, as a serving minister, he was so influential to the extent that he won the heart of many Rivers people. Immediately, his governorship ambition was made public there was serious opposition against it. The aged-long up land and Riverine dichotomy played out against his candidature. As a minister he put his anchor in the sand where no rushing water in the ocean could pull out. He steadfastly continued with his political ambition of becoming the governor of Rivers State. The stiff opposition of ethnic colouration did not deter him. Every strategy used to destroy the source of power steaming his engine could not work.
Thus, the interplay of forces could not stop him as an aspirant in his party, the people democratic party. The political geography and strategies were configured to break the jinx of upland and Riverine dichotomy of Rivers State. Indeed, the political philosophy of Barr. Wike to everyone by surprise as the gathering storm could not cap side the ship of vision. Every effort by political gladiators to form a common front to frustrate his ambition could not get popular opinion from the people. The unwavering and unprecedented charisma of Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike is a landmark break through in the political history of Rivers State. Amidst the gang-up in the party he won the primary election and he became the flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Wikeism has become a new political movement in Rivers State. He contested the governorship election under the plat form of PDP and won the election. Chief Barr. Wike was sworn in on 29th May, 2015 as the 5th Executive Governor of Rivers State. After swearing-in was done, then began series of tribunal battle. He lost in the first election tribunal sitting in Abuja and Appeal Court. But at the Supreme Court, the apex court of the land he won. Today, Governor Nyesom Wike has created a new record in the political history of Rivers State. Wikeism has come to stay in the political geography of Rivers State. ###
FRANK ENEAWAJI OGWUONUONU
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