The former Rivers State Governor and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, applauded members of the state House of Assembly for their support of President Bola Tinubu.
Wike’s commendation came weeks after some of the lawmakers defected from the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement on Sunday by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s aide, the former governor also lauded the lawmakers for standing up and defending what is right in the state.
Wike gave the applause during his visit to the lawmakers at the House of Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt. He said they had demonstrated trust, capacity to lead, and commitment to the right principles.
He urged them to continue standing for what is right, noting that they had distinguished themselves nationally as a beacon of democracy. Wike criticised the withholding of their entitlements by Fubara prior to the declaration of the State of Emergency.
He said: “It is important to come to the members of the State House of Assembly to say thank you for what you have done for us and the people of Rivers State. I also say thank you for the car gift.
“A man is strong and a woman is strong because of their spouses. I have seen men who are not men, and women who are not women. I say this because, if you have not had the opportunity to be in the corridors of power, you will not understand that a man or woman can be influenced negatively by their spouse.”
Wike noted that the lawmakers had shown they were working together for the development of the state.
He said he had observed this throughout his decades in politics, adding that it was the first time he had seen legislators openly declare what they stood for and remain firm.
Also see: Rivers Lawmakers Host Wike, Laud Ex-Governor’s Legacy
“There are those who are courageous, and those who can say no when things are wrong. Many in your position would find ways to do otherwise. We thank God almighty for giving us life. We thank God for using people to get us to where we are. We are grateful and not ungrateful people.
“Some believe money is everything and can buy everyone over. I have told people that money has limits. When it reaches that point, it stops. Money does not move on its own; someone must carry it. Today, you stood out in this country as a beacon of democracy. How can elected persons be denied their entitlements simply because they disagreed? Your families stood firm with you.”
He also praised the upkeep of the assembly complex, saying it would have been unfair not to acknowledge those who contributed in 2025.
“I was emotionally touched when I came here,” Wike said. “Anybody who entered this complex would have expected it to be overgrown with weeds. I do not know any state that can claim their assembly quarters are as neat as this. It shows that with the right leadership, things can move well.”
