Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has said that Nigerians will have nobody but themselves to blame if they fail to seize the ample opportunity to exorcise and liberate the country from the specter of misrule and unmitigated hardship.
Wike, in his new year message, also cautioned politicians against setting the state on fire as the country proceeds toward another general elections.
Read his full speech below..
My dear good people of Rivers State
As 2018 comes to a close, we must thank God for His Grace and Mercies over our lives from the beginning to the end of this year.
2.We also have every reason to be thankful to God Almighty for the peace and the tangible progress we have made in spite of the daunting challenges that we faced.
3.As I have always said, we are not yet where we all want our dear State to be. There is still much work to do to realize the dreams and berth the State at its glorious destination.
4.But, we must commend ourselves for what we have been able to achieve so far and be excited by the fact that the sun continues to rise even higher in the horizon of our State. With dedication, sacrifice and trust in God, nothing can stop our match towards sustainable peace, security and growth.
5.The promise of a New Year is the opportunity for fresh beginnings; the opportunity to recalibrate our life’s focus and renew our resolve to realized our aspirations.
6.As we proceed into 2019 therefore, we must begin the New Year with vision and determination: a vision to transform; and unite around our core values and a determination to confront our challenges with vigour to create new opportunities for all and build the Rivers State of our dreams.
7.With God on our side, and as long as we continue to work together with confidence and unity of purpose, a greater Rivers State is possible to achieve for us and for our children in spite of the challenges.
8.Among others, 2019 also presents a great opportunity for us to create a new vista of hope in the political trajectory of our nation and that of our State.
9.The general elections are around the corner and Nigerians will have nobody but themselves to blame if they fail to seize the ample opportunity to exorcise and liberate the country from the specter of misrule and unmitigated hardship.
10.I therefore encourage every Nigerian to fully and actively participate in the 2019 electoral process so that we can peacefully and collectively chose credible leaders with the capacity to govern and take Nigeria on the right direction.
11.For us in Rivers State, the 2019 general election is the most important elections of our lives because it is about our future.
12. Rivers people must therefore have the opportunity to freely and peacefully exercise their right to chose there own leaders by themselves without constraints.
13.Accordingly, I wish to appeal to the political parties and their supporters not to be desperate with their ambitions as electoral contest is not and cannot be a do or die affair and no one’s political ambition is worth the blood of any other person.
14.I wish to remind us that we have no other State of our own than Rivers State and it is our collective responsibility to build, protect and defend its interest at all times under any circumstances.
15.We cannot afford to set our State on fire through electoral or other violence as this would destroy our progress and set us many years backwards to the delight of our enemies who are averse to our unity and progress.
16.Let us therefore, on this New Year Day rise above partisan or other narrow interest and rededicate ourselves with greater focus and determination towards building a united, peaceful and prosperous State through our individual and collective efforts.
17. Let us not forget that whatever position we may be holding or wherever we may be placed the little contributions we can make will make our State better and greater. Breaking the huddles and actualizing the dreams and possibilities of our State remain a shared responsibility.
18.Finally, I wish to once again express my gratitude to royal fathers, the business community, civil servants, professional and civil society groups, students and youth bodies, market women, politicians and ordinary people for continuing to believe in our ability and determination to secure and take our State to the pinnacle of progress and all round prosperity.
19.On behalf of my wife and children, I wish you a Happy and successful New Year.
20.God bless Nigeria
21.God bless Rivers State
