Wike: At 61, Nigeria should be competing with developed countries — what are we celebrating?

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, says Nigeria should be competing with developed countries considering its years as an independent entity.

Nigeria will mark its 61st Independence Day anniversary on October 1.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, Rivers capital, on Sunday, Wike expressed dismay that ethnicity and religious issues have remained on the front burner, instead of how the country can progress in all spheres.

“At 61, Nigeria is still talking about enmity, hatred, division; we’re still talking about a country that cannot put itself together. You hate a state because of an individual. You discriminate against some people because of their religion, because of where they come from,” he said.

“Sixty-one years old, where is the legislature? A legislature that accepts anything they bring as right; a legislature that cannot say Nigeria has gotten to the stage of conducting a free and fair election. A legislature that will close its eyes to borrowing. The money we are borrowing, where we are applying it?

“What are we celebrating about 61? At 61 years, where are the courts? The courts are being intimidated; the judges have abandoned their responsibilities because of fear.

“Everybody has a responsibility. Ask yourself, ‘have I done my own part?'”

Wike said instead of pursuing election transparency in the country, “we are talking about how to rig 2023.”

“By now, we should be talking about how this county will be competing with other developed countries,” he said.

“Other countries are talking about how their elections should be transparent. We are talking about how to rig election in 2023. Simple thing! Transmit a result electronically to show transparency is a problem.”

He added that Nigeria needs divine intervention.

“This is the period Nigeria needs God. There’s no other time. The country is gone — insecurity everywhere. And so, everybody, must say ‘God, we need you at this time to save this country. No more confidence in man. Man’s leadership has failed this country, and therefore, God, we need you at this time,” he said.