The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has stated readiness to prosecute his re-election in 2019.
Wike explained that his decision to seek re-election was based on the support of the youths across the 23 local government areas of the state.
The governor also cited the endorsements from women, elders, ethnic nationalities and non-indigenes from across the state as another reason to fight for the protection of the state.
Speaking before inaugurating the secretariat of the ‘One Million Youths for New Rivers State’ in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike said, “I want to tell you that I am prepared for that election (2019). Since the youths are the ones saying that I should come out to contest, I am ready to come out.
“Let the security agencies know that we are prepared. When they are thinking of shooting, they will fall asleep until the elections are over and we are declared winners.”
The governor noted that the business partners struggling to snatch the state for their pecuniary benefit would be defeated in 2019.
“People intentionally sold key assets of Rivers State to themselves and now they want to take more through business partnership. They sold to themselves the gas turbines, sold to themselves Olympia Hotel and Abonnema Wharf.
“If we allow them, they will sell the whole GRA to themselves. They should know that we are prepared,” Wike added.
The governor said though nobody was against anyone preaching zoning, the will of Rivers people would prevail in 2019.
The governor announced that 7,000 qualified persons would be employed into the state civil service, noting that over 70 per cent of those to be employed would be youths.
He also stated that youths would make more than 70 per cent of the 10,000 and 4,000 non-academic staff to be employed by his administration.
Coordinator of One Million Youths for New Rivers State, Mr Ehie Edison, said that the movement was borne out of passion and necessity.
He said the movement was aimed at ensuring that darkness did not take over the state again, adding that Rivers youths would defend their votes in 2019 and also work for the victory of Governor Wike.
