Wike’s ‘Father Christmas’ Posture
3 min read
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike recently came under attack from the citizens and other concerned residents as they criticized the governor’s decision to donate N500m to his colleague in Sokoto State, to assist traders in that state, after their market was razed.
Those who attacked him argued that the governor had erred in making the donation because similar incidents had happened in his own state and he never made such donations to the traders.
Besides, there were others who faulted the governor’s ‘Father Christmas’ action on the grounds that the money would have solved so many problems in the state, including the payments of pensioners and gratuities for retired workers who have been crying without attention from him.
There were those who also argued that the money was not budgeted for and ought not to be spent, as that was an impeachable offence. In fact, the APC in the state actually called out the state house of assembly and challenged them to begin the process of impeachment against Wike.
On his part, the state information commissioner, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim has made efforts to defend the action of the governor. To him, what the governor did was a mere show of the milk of human kindness in him. He had argued that extending a hand of help to traders in distress ought to have received applause from the people, instead of the attacks the governor got.
It is our view that the donation was a misplaced priority. We are tempted to agree with the public that the donation of N500m to Sokoto State traders was not just evil, but was also a political action, aimed at buying the heart of the people in that state, ahead of the 2023 election.
Of late, the governor has been visiting the northern states and trying to do the job of a good boy and political godfather, who is interested in goings on in other states. He started by inviting political leaders across political parties to Rivers State for the commissioning of certain projects executed by his government.
And then some states have also invited him to perform similar functions. In other instances, the governor has visited some northern states to wade into their internal crisis. And it is shocking because Wike has never at any time been declared the leader of his party, the PDP. Undoubtedly, he is spending Rivers money on those trips.
Group Congratulates Ekanem, Calls For Revival Of C’River Civil Service
If Wike so loved traders and would feel uncomfortable if things do not go well with them, how come he can sleep well at a time that traders in the Rumuokoro, Slaughter, Oil Mill markets have been forced to close shops for months now? How come Wike does not give a hoot, if those who depend on the traders to survive are dying or have been hospitalised because their benefactors could no longer provide for them, since the markets have been closed?
Rather than put up a bold face in an effort to defend the donation, it is our view that Wike should be bold and humble enough to apologise to the people of Rivers State for using their money in a way that offended them. Those before him had behaved in similar ways, trying to use Rivers money to buy their way into higher political offices. It didn’t end well.
We advise political leaders and occupants of political offices to always be conscious of the fact that public funds are held in trust for the people and should not be spent for selfish purposes.
