From Tony John, Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has given reasons why he dissolved the State Executive Council on Saturday, June 23, 2017.

The governor said dissolution of the state executive council was done in consultation with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. 

Wike spoke yesterday, during a thanksgiving service in honour of Majority Whip of the House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, at St Martin’s Anglican Church, Ogu.

He reiterated that the dissolution was done to rejig the machinery of government, to move the state forward.

“This is when you know those who are loyal and those who are not.

“There is no crack in government. We are working together.

“You must work with those who are loyal. Those who are not loyal will be shown the way out.

“Those who are loyal will come back. When you are going into another dispensation, you have to put things in order.”

The governor said dissolution of the executive council was done at the appropriate time and added that most states have already dissolved their respective executive councils.

“In government, there are those hungry to come in and those hungry to go. If you are a political appointee, you must expect any eventuality,” he said. 

The governor noted that his administration would continue to deliver on its promises to the people.

He lauded Bipi for his unwavering loyalty at the beginning of the struggle for the enthronement of a new Rivers State. 

The governor said: “When people never gave us hope, Bipi was reliable. 

“Bipi is a loyal and committed person. Bipi is among the first group of supporters we had.”

He thanked the people of Ogu/Bolo for supporting the lawmaker through the rerun elections.

Governor Wike directed contractors handling the rehabilitation of schools in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area to speed up work. 

In his remarks, Bipi assured Wike of the support of the people of Ogu/Bolo.

The event was attened by former members of the  state executive council, religious leaders and caretaker committee chairmen.