Nasir El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna State, has commended Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, for supporting APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election and the rotation of power to Southern Nigeria.
Speaking during the commissioning of Igbo-Etche-Eneka Road, Governor El-Rufai noted that the action of Rivers people shows they can recognize excellence.
“I want on behalf of our presidential candidate and our party to thank you and the good people of river state for making the right choice in voting for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is the first time since the Fourth Republic started in 1999 that PDP was unable to get 25% in Rivers state.” – he said.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai added that;
“It shows that the people of Rivers can differentiate and they know when to vote for quality and they voted quality over political sentiments. We want to thank you for providing that leadership Governor Wike.”
The APC Governors from the north insisted on a transfer of power to the south, according to Governor El Rufai, who claimed that this was done out of both a belief in one Nigeria and enlightened self interest.
“I want to assure you on behalf of the Northern APC governors that stood up and insisted that after eight years of President Buhari power should shift to the South was an act not only of belief in one Nigeria, but also in our enlightened self interest.” – he said.
The Kaduna Governor stressed that;
“This country has the potential to lead the African continent and indeed the black race. But only when Nigerian leaders come together and do what is best for the majority of our people. This is what the northern APC Governors stood for.“
But, the governor of Kaduna State asked governor Wike, who he regarded as a staunch supporter of Nigeria’s unity, to keep collaborating with people who share his views to create a nation that is democratic, progressive, and successful.
“This is what we believe Governor Wike stands for and this is part of the reason that I am here to extend our hand of fellowship to Your excellency governor Nyesom Wike and the people of Rivers state, for us to continue to work together as brothers and sisters to make Nigeria a better place for everyone. No matter what religion, ethnicity, tribe, colour or creed.” – he noted.
Governor Wike hailed the governor of Kaduna State and other northern governors earlier in his speech for guaranteeing the transfer of power to the south.