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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has advised commissioners serving in his administration who are interested in playing ethnic politics to resign.
He gave the charge at Government House, Port Harcourt while swearing-in the nine commissioners who were screened and confirmed by the state House of Assembly on Tuesday.
Wike said the commissioners were appointed to serve Rivers State and not their respective ethnic nationalities, hence he enjoined them to shun ethnic jingoism.
He said, “Your appointment was not on the premise of ethnicity. If you play the ethnic card, please resign. Don’t use my administration to be an ethnic superstar. You are appointed to serve Rivers people, not a particular ethnic group.”
Governor Wike also stated that the appointment as commissioner was not a compensation for electoral contributions, but a call to diligent service to the state.
“It is regrettable that some people see their appointment as patronage or compensation for electoral contributions. That is not true. You are appointed to serve the state. Those of you who are returning are no longer learning the processes and you know what I expect,” he stated.
He noted that membership of the Rivers State Executive Council was basically to enhance the development of the state, insisting that that his administration remained committed to work, as if this was his first term.
“Work with us to achieve. This is my second term and we are working as if it is our first term, because of my love for Rivers State. There are other governors that are no longer executing projects, because they are in their second term.
“They are politicking, while we are focused on the development of Rivers State. We are working because Rivers people gave us the mandate to work,” he stressed.
Governor Wike also urged the new commissioners to reach out to their people and stop the falsehood against the Rivers government, after which he presided over the State Executive Council meeting.