From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and his Katsina State counterpart, Aminu Masari, have enjoined Nigerians, irrespective of political leanings, to work cohesively together for the development of the country.
The governors, who met at the Government House, Katsina, Katsina State, yesterday, maintained that sustenance of the unity in diversity of Nigeria over the years have played a vital role in the growth and development of the country.
Governor Wike, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, said he was in the state to meet with the party’s leaders and delegates ahead of the PDP national convention this month and as a mark of respect, he also deemed it proper to personally visit Governor Masari, to formally notify him of his presidential ambition.
“I’m formally informing you that I am making myself available to run for the office of the president of Nigeria, and I am here today to talk to the delegates who will make it possible on the 28th and 29th of this month, which is our national convention.We cannot say because you don’t belong to our party and, therefore, we must not give you that respect, no, is not allowed. By our tradition, party cannot divide us. Party is a vehicle that conveys you to the point of destination.”
Governor Wike insisted that irrespective of political leanings, politicians must cultivate the virtue of prioritising national unity above their political interest at all time.
In his response, Governor Masari said it was gratifying that the Rivers State governor is aspiring to be the next president of Nigeria.
According to him, that shows the country is becoming one united nation,
“I believe you have contributed in your own way immensely to the development of the political process in Nigeria. Really, we thank God that people like you come from that part of the country. It shows confidence in the oneness of Nigeria and the political process.”
Governor Masari explained that he would remain eternally grateful to the people of Rivers State for the immense support given to him while he was the House of Representatives speaker.
“During my days as speaker of House of Representatives, if there is any one state that you can count on for 100 per cent support, it was Rivers and we remain friendly up till this moment. So, anybody coming from Rivers State to wherever I am, he is welcome into my personal house or official residence.”
The Katsina State governor also commended Governor Wike for effectively curtailing the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra in Rivers State.
He observed that if Governor Wike had not acted decisively, the nation would have been in a more precarious situation.