Wike seeks ‘true federalism’ in Nigeria

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers in Port Harcourt on Tuesday called for true federalism in Nigeria to enable each part of the country to develop according to its ability.

The governor made the call when he hosted the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr William Symington, his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, said in a statement.

He explained that Rivers people wanted true federalism because they wanted a country where all the federating units were allowed to develop according to their resources.

Mr. Wike said that the demand for true federalism meant that Rivers people believed in one united Nigeria, where no section was denied the control of its own resources.

He urged the U.S. Government to set up a visa office in Port Harcourt to cater to the South-South and the Southeast geo-political zones.

“We are clamouring for true federalism, when you talk of true federalism, they think you don’t want to be part of the country.

“We talk about true federalism as practiced in America, a true presidential system where all the federating units will be allowed to enjoy their resources and contribute to the centre,” Mr. Wike said.

He said the people believed that there must be a country called Nigeria in which everyone would work together to achieve unity and progress.

The governor said Rivers people sought to be treated with equity, fairness and justice.

He said that the right framework should be established to ensure that all the states excelled at their own pace.

Mr. Wike said that the visa office would be in the spirit of equity and justice as the Abuja office served the North, while the Lagos office served the South-West.

He said Rivers was safe for investments and promised that his administration would partner investors to enable them to benefit from their investments.

“Forget about the media propaganda, this state is an opposition state, therefore don’t expect them to say it is the best.

‘’But we are the best state, we are doing everything to ensure that investors do profitable business under the ambit of the law,” the governor said.

The ambassador commended Nigerians for their unity and added: “Nigeria will be great and I expect a super power and a super partner.”