Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has advised the former Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, to instruct his followers in the state to obey the law and live orderly.
Wike said this during a courtesy visit by the former Emir of Kano and Grand Khaleefa of the Tijaniyyan Order in Nigeria, His Royal Highness, Muhammad Sanusi II, at Government House, Port Harcourt on Sunday.
The governor clarified that the relocation of the former Oginiba Slaughter Market in the Trans-Amadi Industrial Area was a measure taken to curb the level of criminality in the area.
He noted that it is rather unfortunate that citizens see the genuine efforts of the government to create a peaceful state as a measure of hatred against them.
“But as a state, you also owe that duty to protect your citizens, protect the business people, protect the property. So, when we took that decision, the next thing was that he was demolishing where Fulanis and Hausas are. And I said, what type of country we are.
“How can we live in this kind of situation. You make a decision that is in the interest of everybody; they said it’s because I don’t like them. So, if I don’t like them, why have I not closed the other slaughter.”
Explaining further, the governor said that development can only be secured in a society that promotes good governance based on the rule of law.
According to him, the country’s economy is declining, with tales of bad news waiting for citizens every day. He maintained that everybody could attest that things are not well in Nigeria, no matter how pretenders try to exonerate themselves from the happenings.
He implored Nigerians to work together irrespective of their different regions and religion to salvage the country from current political and socio-economic woes.
“We should brace up; it behoves of all Nigerians to say, we must work together to salvage our country. We must work together to move this country forward. It doesn’t matter where you come from.
“Because poverty does not know Fulani. It does not know Hausa. It does not know Igbo, it does not know Yoruba. It does not know other ethnic groups.”
Governor Wike assured that Rivers State would continue to be a place where every citizen can consider home while urging residents to conduct their affairs within the confines of the law and be orderly.
Speaking further, Wike said it is the place of government to provide development for its people and ensure the safety of all residents.
“Rivers State, for me, is a place for all Nigerians. Wherever you come from, whether you’re from the east, you’re from the north, you’re from the west, or you’re from the south. Whatever your religion is immaterial to me. All of us are Nigerians, and we do things in common.
“The only thing I have always crave for is law and order, for people to understand that no society can progress without behaving orderly, without obeying the law. When you have a lawless society with no security, you can imagine the kind of state it’ll be.”
Governor Wike also stated that constructing the Nkpolu -Oroworukwo flyover in Port Harcourt has nothing to do with tribe or religion but to further the state’s development agenda and provide safety for all residents.
“We are trying to put our State in such manner that people doing business or who live in the state will have that sense of protection.”
On his part, the former Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, said he was on a familiarisation tour to leaders and members of the Tjjaniyya Order who are resident in Rivers State because he is their Grand Khaleefa.
According to him, “This is part of the familiarisation tour to meet with the leaders and members of the order here in Port Harcourt. I will like to thank your excellency, they have informed me of the support they have received, and we have watched closely the efforts of his excellency to make Rivers a home for all Nigerians.
“To make all Nigerians feel they’re true citizens of this country and to protect life and property and the freedom of persons.”
He assured the governor that the Tjjaniyya Order advocates peace, brotherhood, togetherness, solidarity, and progress, giving no room for extremism.
“I would like to assure you that this order is a Sufi Order; it is a peaceful order. We do not have among us any extremists. We do not encourage any kind of criminal activity. We advocate peace, brotherhood, togetherness, solidarity.
“Our interest would be the progress of this country. But we are committed as a group to play our role in supporting leadership that will bring development to the Nigerian people because we are convinced that if the leadership of the country and the sub-nationals is not up to speed, all of us suffer.
“If we have good leaders, all Nigerians benefit.”
