Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has called on Nigerian politicians to see politics as sports and not war that should be fought with desperation.
The governor said politics must be viewed as sports where there must be victors and losers, but the participants exchange pleasantries, waiting for the next contest.
The governor spoke on Monday when he hosted his kinsmen from Rumuepirikom Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area to a Sallah lunch at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
He said: “Politics is not war. I advise politicians to see politics as sports where there is always a winner and a loser. That way, we will not have major conflicts in the community.
“When you contest an election and someone else has won, felicitate with that person hoping that tomorrow will be another day when you will have your day.”
He urged members of the Rumuepirikom community to continue to thank God because the aspirations of the kingdom have come to fruition with his emergence as the governor of the state.
“Our forefathers wherever they are will be happy that this kingdom is now known nationally and internationally. Therefore, we have every reason to be united for the good of our people.
The governor assured the people that he would be a compassionate leader to all the people of the state as his commitment remains: “Rivers First at all times.”
He charged the indigenes of Rumuepirikom Kingdom to always promote brotherly love and unity among themselves, stressing that different groups would benefit from the state government’s empowerment schemes.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rumuepirikom Community Development Committee, Kingsley Owabie, lauded the governor for being a worthy ambassador of the kingdom.
He assured the governor that his kinsmen would always support him at all times.
Chiefs of Rumuepirikom led by Chief Anugbum Onuoha presented a gift to the governor on behalf of the kingdom.
The traditional leadership of Rumuepirikom Kingdom was led to the event by the paramount ruler of Rumuepirikom, Nyeweli Barry Opara Owabie.
