What Wike said on his ministerial nomination at Senate screening

VAM News Update

Former Governor of Rivers State, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on Monday appeared before the Nigerian Senate and addressed the lawmakers on why he should be confirmed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following his nomination by President Bola Tinubu.

Wike argued on the floor of the Senate that he is qualified to be a Minister, stressing that his track records as immediate past Governor of Rivers State speak for him.

Wike told the Senate that during his time as Governor of the oil-rich Niger Delta State from May 2015 to May 2023, he started and completed many projects to improve the infrastructural status of the State.

He also said he invited politicians from across party lines, including the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to commission projects in Rivers, adding that President Tinubu won’t regret nominating him to serve as a minister in his cabinet.

“As a former Governor, it is on record in this country; everyone will attest to the fact that I changed the landscape of Port Harcourt. It is on record that in four years, I constructed 12 flyovers, not by any other contractors, but by Julius Berger Nigeria Limited.

“There is nothing like magic. What is important is the passion, commitment and love you have for your people. In my four years second tenure, I never slept outside of my State. I made sure I was in my State to take up the challenges of my people.

“Due to my performance, I was given a hero’s welcome by my people. They escorted me home, where women laid their wrappers on the ground and they said welcome our son, you have done very well.

“These things can only be achieved if you are committed and if you have passion for the job. There are so many people who want to be Governors, who want to be Ministers just for the sake that they are Governors, they are Ministers.

“I thank Mr Presient for nominating me. I believe, knowing how hungry Mr President is to solve the problems of Nigeria, we have no choice but to give him that required support. I can assure you, if I am confirmed, in whatever capacity, Mr President will never regret nominating me,” Wike said.

VAM reports the former Rivers State Governor passed the Senate screening for ministerial appointment. He was asked to take a bow and go after fielding a handful of questions from the lawmakers.

Before he was asked to take a bow and go, Senate President Akpabio earlier charged Wike to operate an open-door policy as Minister, while charging the former Rivers State Governor to allow room for proper oversight, necessary for accountability.

“Even as he was speaking, you could see the passion and the love he has for the country. But what the public worry about is that we play more politics with our voices and then when we get into office we close the doors against Nigerians,” Akpabio said.