Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, stated on Friday that his team is more focused on making Nigeria better and that they are seeking advice from many people who have good intentions for the nation.
After arriving from London, Governor Wike talked to reporters at the Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue State, and Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, the governor of Abia State, were present with the governor of Rivers State.
According to Governor Wike, who confirmed their meetings in London with Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Olusegun Obasanjo of the former Nigerian president, the main topic of discussion were how to improve Nigeria from its current state.
The governor of Rivers State highlighted that things are not good in Nigeria and that they are looking for solutions to provide the country long-lasting optimism.
“I can confirm that this is the first time as a team that we are meeting with presidential candidates. We met with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC and we met with our leader, former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.
“We met the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. We also met with our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. For whatever it’s worth, consultation is ongoing.
“Whatever we are talking about, is for the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. It is not parochial and tied to one person or group of persons. We believe that with what is going on, it will be for the interest of Nigerians at the end of the day.”
Governor Wike criticised the practise of consistently exchanging competence, training, and standards for mediocrity.
According to the governor, leadership should be based on the interests of everyone as a whole, not just one person and his family.
“Consultation is still ongoing. Never mind some people who do not believe in the existence of this country.
“Leadership is not about you and your family. Leadership is about everybody.
It’s unfortunate that we are in a country now where a man finishes eight years as a governor and brings his own son as a governor too and as member of National Assembly.
“It’s only in this part of the world that you can see that, when we are talking about poverty everywhere. These are people who do not mean well for this Nigeria.”
Governor Wike also questioned why, when competency is needed, religion and ethnicity are utilised to characterise Nigerians.
“The only identity they have in this country is religion and ethnicity, nothing more. It’s either, I’m a Christian or I’m a Moslem, I’m a Fulani or I’m an Igbo. Nigeria cannot move forward except they think it will be them. That’s where we are.
“We are in a country where someone with primary school certificate can be appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. That tells you how bad this country has become.
“But with our consultation, all these will be a thing of the past. No amount of intimidation or blackmail will deter us. We are determined to right the wrong.”
Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue State and the team's leader, responded by stating that they had met with notable individuals recently because they believe that Nigeria is in trouble and needs a coordinated effort to save it.
He said they had great discussions with the people they had met, and they went beyond partisan politics since all Nigerians must cooperate to ensure that their country survives.
“For us, we are looking at the larger picture. Nigeria today is in distress. It is about what can we do. No man or woman alone can get it right for our country.
“We are looking at how we can harness ideas and put ourselves together to ensure that we get out of the present challenge we are in Nigeria today.
“From top to bottom, consider what has happened from 2015 and where we are today. So, what we are doing is a concern that we have for our country, Nigeria.
“This is beyond partisan politics. We are looking on how we can come together and find a way of ensuring that Nigeria survives. Nigeria is on drip, Nigeria is on oxygen and it is about how can we get out of this.”
The three discussions they held over the week, according to Governor Ortom, were productive.
He claims that even though conversations are still ongoing because nothing definite has been determined, each of them has prior commitments in Europe.
“The consultation is going on and will continue to go on. We are still going to meet here. We are still going to meet some persons some other time and see how we can work to ensure that the project Nigeria works.”
The governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, stressed that they are on a mission and committed to finding a method to save Nigeria.
He stated that they are conscious of the social legacy they want to leave for the current generation, including their children and grandchildren.
“And this is a country with great potential and we have to protect it well. We think that we need to engage across board.
“We are also looking at speaking with civil society organisations and those who have ideas, with Nigerians in the diaspora. All the resources available in this country have to come together at this time to see how best we can move Nigeria forward.”