Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has described the decision of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to appoint 200,00 special political advisers as depicting a drowning despot who is clinching to all straws to stay afloat.
Eze, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said this in a press release in reaction to the recent appointments by the governor.
While the decision of the governor was seen as strategic ahead of the 2023 elections, Eze said “no amount of political machination, surreptitious ploy or tricky strategy” devised by Wike can save and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from defeat in the elections.
Eze alleged that the appointments were a plan by the governor to secure 200,000 votes for the Rivers PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, Siminalayi Fubara.
He said even, if Governor Wike goes ahead to appoint every electorate in Rivers State to secure their votes for his candidate, his efforts will not be fruitful.
“Rivers people have become enlightened beyond the crude reasoning of Wike and are committed to the enthronement of a progressive government that will realign the state on the path of development, far beyond the petty politics that has crippled every fortune the state was known for.
“The act of appointing about 200,000 Special Advisers by Wike is nothing but a demonstration of desperation.
“Even though he increases the number to one million liaison officers, it will not stop Rivers State and its people from sacking everything about him and the PDP, come 2023 general election,” he stayed in the release.
Eze counseled those appointed to collect whatever allowance Wike has approved for them “but ensure, as agreed, that Rivers State is rescued from the shackles of the outgoing emperor and his reckless and wasteful style of administration.
“It is sheer wickedness for the governor to indulge in fanfare of squander mania, leaving Rivers’ people in squalor without a hint of remorse for seven years plus only to wake up now to pretend as though he cares about the electorate because it is election time.
“The volume of Rivers State people gathered at the stadium to be appointed as ‘4-Months-Honourables’ with miserable allowance of N20,000 at this critical economic downturn period clearly points to the fact the governor has weaponised poverty in Rivers State and it is, indeed, unfortunate.”
Eze expressed confidence that nobody, including the 200,000 appointees will fall prey to what he allegedly called Wike’s trap.
“The future of Rivers State is very crucial and should matter to everyone and every voter must ensure that none of the candidates that has anything to do with Wike will be allowed close to the seat of power come 2023,” he added.
Eze declared that Rivers State and its people are ready for Wike this time around and nothing will save him from defeat.
“It is time of judgment and he will not be saved from the maladministration and reckless wastage of Rivers State finances,” he stated in the release.