Governor Wike has read the riot act to those giving him directives from Abuja.
According to the Rivers governor, no one is authorised to order him around, not when they did not elect him or contribute anything to advance the course of the Rivers people. Not even when those people have not carried out one project in the State
He says he is not in a military era where orders are issued from an office and governors run helta skelta. If his own biological father calls him for a civil dialogue, nobody should order him around.
According to Governor Nyesom Wike since he does not have the money to build an isolation centre, he will will fight to stave off anyone who wants to come in and kill rivers people with coronavirus.
He insists that it does not make sense arresting and locking up poor akara sellers but allow ExonMobil and Caverton people move about freely.
Governor Wike read the riot act at a press conference today, 17th April.
Full text of his speech:
“Is this lockdown only for the poor ? It’s unfortunate for someone to go against the lockdown rules of the government at this time.
“Akara sellers in Lagos trying to make daily income are chased out of the street and carried to court, but they said we should leave oil companies and allow them to operate and fly.
“As long as they do not enter my territory, I have no problem because we will fight, if we don’t fight, we will not survive.
“I don’t take orders from Abuja but from Rivers people. If they want to work with me they should come. I will not go and beg them. If they want war, we will fight, but I will make sure my people are protected from coronavirus.
“My people wouldn’t die. I’m not against the federal government, what are fighting for ? But I will do what is right if you want me to work with you, talk with me and don’t give me directives.
“Nobody can use Rivers people as a toy. If you don’t like me, that will encourage me to like myself. Even my father has never given me directive but calls me and has a dialogue for a way out. But you that is not my father will issue directive so you can kill Rivers people.
“I won you in 2015, I won you in 2019, have I not won ? Not one project in Rivers but you stay in Abuja and give me directives, I will not agree. We are in a federal systems but governors have been reduced to beggars.
“We are not in a military government where you will sit in your office and direct me. I am not one of those governors that will come to Abuja and ask for help, so don’t issue me directive when you were elected like me.
“As a governor, the right thing must be done so people do not die.
“Is there any oil company operating in America ? It’s only here in Nigeria. I’m a boi to Rivers people not anybody outside this state.
T”he other time it was Caverton, Now it’s ExxonMobil. The lockdown is not for the poor alone. It includes everybody.
“They are lucky Carveton apologised, the MD sent me an apology text that evening from America for us to release his pilots and comply with the rules.”