Former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has scaled through the process of becoming a member of the Federal Executive Council. Wike, who had arrived the Red Chambers for the Ministerial Screening on July 31, was asked to take a “bow and go”, following his impeccable profile as former Governor and Minister during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
The decision by the Senators to allow Wike take a bow did not come as a surprise to Nigerians because he (Wike) had shown statesmanship during his administration.
Recall that during his administration, members of other political parties were invited to the State to either Flag off or commission projects executed by his administration.
Consequently, Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, being included on a Ministerial list predominantly made up of members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, did not look out of place.
Why We did not grill Wike
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has explained why the senators did not grill the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, during the ministerial nominees screening.
Akpabio cited Wike’s experiences as a governor and a minister under former President, Goodluck Jonathan.
Akpabio noted that Wike was not thoroughly grilled because of his records having formerly served as a minister.
He said Wike had appeared before the Senate for screening when he was nominated as a minister by ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan.
“Having been nominated again for a ministerial position, there is no point asking him many questions,” Akpabio said
Meanwhile, the lawmakers representing River State represented by Senator Barinada Mpigi ( PDP, Rivers Southeast) during the screening told Nigerians that Wike was the best in the state.
He said, “His Excellency former Governor Nyesom Wike is our best in Rivers State. He is our leader and role model.
“Distinguished senators, we employ that you should let him just take a bow and go.
“His resume is insufficient to enumerate the works that he has done.”
Earlier, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, had extolled the former governor stating that he was thrilled by the work he did in Rivers State.
Barau said, “The first time, I got to River State; I was shocked because of the impact of the work that you did in the state.
“In fact, I thought I was abroad and not in Nigeria. Will you be able to replicate the same work if you were confirmed as a Minister?”
The Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio, thereafter, told him to take a bow and leave.
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