I have fought many battles. ‘You, you know.’
My interest has never been about me. You know.
It has always been about the good of all. Of course, you know that.
As difficult as it is for some to take a decision about where they currently stand in the politics of Rivers State and indeed Nigeria at large, let it be known that I stand with, for and by our people.
This is why I oppose the hegemonic politics that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar represents. It is why I fully support the position of the Governor of Rivers State Chief Nyesom Wike on the issues plaguing Atiku’s candidature.
To me, it doesn’t matter, as they say, that Wike is demanding for the right thing at the wrong time – after he lost out of the power play. Whether or not they have a right is not the current subject. But that it doesn’t diminish the strength of his position and the fact that Atiku’s current candidature is an insult on Southern Nigeria especially after his kinsman is wrapping up his own term, is an established fact.
Nigeria is formed by North and South and nothing can ever change that. To sustain the bond that holds Nigeria together, the North and South have to take their turns in sharing power. It is very simple to understand.
I support Wike. I say so boldly. Yes, he is the same man I served, then contended with for issues those who now contend with him blacklisted me as being ungrateful and malicious. But today as their records are being released I wonder why they contend with him? What changed apart from their personal interests?
Personally, and I mean this quite frankly, I regret nothing that I did with the best of intentions. Was it about me? Definitely not.
I am a creative being greatly blessed by God. I do not believe that with all of God’s graces resident and invested in me, I have to beg for bread. God forbid! That will be insulting of Jehovah.
With all sense of modesty, you know that I have demonstrated the efficacy of God’s abundant grace in my life. I have moved from grace to grace by the power of God and not man and I continue to make good progress. This is not me being braggadocious. I am only communicating the vitality of God’s grace that I enjoy. I have never survived by politics. Never. It’s been the grace of God.
This is why when we take political decisions, we do not take them merely because of ourselves, to promote our selfish causes nor to expand any bottomless pit of endless needs inspired by sheer greed. We take decisions as they become imperative and on the weight of their essence to the survival of our people.
In today’s Nigeria, the stakes are too high, the gapping spaces are becoming too wide and the danger signals are too alarming not to be mindful about consequential political decisions.
Atiku’s presidential bid is bad omen for Nigeria and nothing will change that. His political rhetoric and conduct have also promoted division and demonstrated a mindless lack of tact and respect in dealing with the South. Neither are they sensitive and positively responsive to issues of inclusion and religious tolerance that inflame passions in Nigeria. No matter how anyone wants to look at it, Nigeria is threatened by the ambition of a man who can dispense with the unity, laws and social order of the country on the basis of his faith. Not even Buhari was that brazen.
I therefore reiterate my resolve, and call on all Nigerians desirous of a better country, to do all that is logically and legally essential to promote an egalitarian Nigeria as currently being championed by Wike with the support of his visible and subterranean allies from across Nigeria. His fight; their fight; our fight is about the best of Nigeria.
It is my hope that our collective efforts will yield the desired results to uphold equality, inclusion, unity, love and respect for the entity called Nigeria and ultimately reverse our country’s course from the impending danger that Atiku’s candidature typifies.
So help us God.
