The governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has vowed to treat everyone who disdains the state's political capacity equally.
Wike made the announcement at the Orochiri-Worukwo (Waterlines junction) Flyover's Monday inauguration in Port Harcourt, which was presided over by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State.
The governor of Rivers noted that the mechanics of modern politics had made it unpopular to just give votes away without the promise of tangibly beneficial outcomes for the populace.
This was said in a communiqué to journalists that Kelvin Ebiri, the governor's media assistant, released.
“If you say Rivers State does not matter, Rivers State will tell you that you don’t matter at the appropriate time.
“If you don’t like us, we will not like you. If you like us, we will like you. Nobody will use our votes for nothing. Our votes will matter and Rivers State must benefit from anybody that we are going to support.
“Politics now is no longer just voting for somebody; it is about what you will do for the people of Rivers State.”
He emphasised how challenging it would be for any conspirators to change Rivers State's voting habits and its support for the Peoples Democratic Party.
Wike reaffirmed that candidates for governor of the state would not receive support if they plundered the state's treasury.
“My guest from Lagos State let nobody tell you the story that anybody will come here to win as governor of Rivers State. It will not happen.
“Those who looted the treasury of the state will not come here to be governor of Rivers State and I have challenged them.
“I am fully in charge. I am not the kind of governor people will go to Abuja and hold meetings against. I am fully in charge here.”
Additionally, Governor Wike chastised Mr. Yemi Adebowale for his ThisDay piece from the "RingTrue" column, "Wike, a Governor Possessed By Spirit of Flyovers," in which he spread false information.
The governor referred to the writer's apparent unhappiness as seen by his opposition to progress and his hatred of Rivers residents, who, he added, were content with the administration's on-going development efforts.
“First of all, let me state, if there is one state that pays salary regularly, it is Rivers State. Let me also state, every month we pay pensioners. Let me also state since we have been paying gratuity, have you been hearing anybody talking on radio?