In The Name Of Wike

How far can a man go in politics? What are you ready to stake in this power game? Are you willing to give up everything, including your life because of political domination? Will there ever be a time when you will sit back, ponder and check if at all you're on the right track in life?

Is everything based on money and might? What about humanity? What about our growing kids? How are they coping with the mess that we're spewing every day in the name of politics? Why is there no limit to our overtly aggressive tendencies?

Give it to him; Nyesom Wike is a smart and tough politician, in the Nigerian context, of course. He is a product of the pre-military handover political era. This was a period when raw might, diabolical propaganda, and unholy chicanery prevailed in the political arena. He swam in the aqua of Ikwerre influence: large population and growing political consciousness amongst his people.

These were some of the factors that plunged Wike unto the political ladder when opportunity struck in 1999. Here was a Lawyer and a young political gamer. He was ready for the type of democracy that the military handover birthed. Wike became a Local Government Chairman, Chief of Staff to one of the strongest governors in the history of Nigeria, Minister and finally, governor. You must give it to him.

In Wike, the Machiavellian concept of "it's better to be feared than to be loved" comes freightenly alive. He is also the progenitor of "if you tell, I'll tell" political blackmail system in Rivers State. Remember that kid that knew so many of your grey areas back then in school? Yeah, that's Wike. Wait until the day you err him, and then he'll begin to release them one after the other. He is a traditional political machine - one that operates with a different type of fuel. His zest for control emanates from his history of absolute power play. Haven't you noticed that Wike is without any contemporary in his government. Who are his longterm friends? Where are the pals that he grew up politically with? There are non. You know why? Like every other power monger in history, Wike is a loner when it comes to politics. He has no trust in anyone but himself.

Don't be blinded by his briskness and delivery speed. It's really nothing to him. You have to give it to Wike here again. Wike's mind thinks nothing but politics. This is where he stays ahead of his politcal peers. Call it what you like, but my governor believes that he is a career politician. Isn't he? A man that knows all his Ward Chairmen by name, isn't he good? This is his trade; you must be kidding if you think you can get him off this horse with kids gloves! Since his graduation from Law School up till now, Nyesom Wike has done nothing but politics.

Another very good part of Wike's politics is money. Dear reader, Wike's hands are too open when he's playing this play! He is not a man of many words during his moments of battle; to Wike, the statement that "every man has a price" is an understatement. Your price is his cheeky change. The sad truth is that there's massive poverty in the land and men like Wike have perfected ways through which they milk out power through this very dust. Apart from my humble self and a few others, I am yet to see that son of man who can resist Wike's pecuniary lures. But his lure when it comes is often strategic. There must be something that he needs from you. He's not interested in your fine face; do the work, take your money, and get outta here, no time!

When to draw the limit?
Yes, as humans, there must be a time to rethink and readjust our ways. I am yet to see this in Governor Nyesom Wike. Why alienate members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State? Why fight them as though they aren't Rivers people?

Why the orgy of verbal and physical violence against them? Those who love Wike must remind him that nobody in the entire history of humanity could successfully wipe out a people of like minds. It is not possible that every Rivers son and daughter must belong to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). No, it's not. Nyesom Wike must live and let live.

Now, this is what Wike must immediately do to bring back peace and sanity in Rivers State: Governor Wike must ensure that all sons and daughters of Rivers State are treated equally irrespective of political leaning. This should be his limit.

Now that he has become the Governor, I expect Wike to begin an ascension into the realm of political immortality. That height where Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory climbed. What shall be said of Wike in years to come? What good shall be said in the name of Wike?