Oraye St. Franklyn pens this essay on Rivers State governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike extolling him for his democratic credentials which is marked by a respect for the rule of law.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s Harry Browne opines, and I agree completely that ‘it is well known that in war, the first casualty is truth – that during any war truth is forsaken for propaganda.’
It is true. Little would we have known as a people that given the almost overwhelming negative narrative against his candidacy, in the run-up to the 2015 General Elections, as part of what the opposition term as politics, Wike would emerge Governor to do the right things.
Painted in the most despicable colours and characterised in the malicious script as being devious, ruthless and brutish, and quite frankly, with his mustache not helping matters, Governor Wike has emerged a blazing surprise to many.
From his first day in office to this present day, exactly 2 years in the service of his people, he has maintained an incredulous consistency in his fight and advocacy to entrench the rule of law and uphold Democracy as he delivers on his governmental mandate.
I have had the singular privilege of having a front row experience of the dangerously defying efforts of Governor Wike, against deathly and deadly bombardments not just on principles and practices of Democracy and the rule of law, but literally against the lives of Rivers people on the authority of the Buhari-led Federal Government.
From courts delivering judgments that query the basis and foundation of Justice, to institutions raping their very laws and processes to foist unwanted and unpopular electoral candidates of His Supreme Majesty, Wike has never compromised his sworn duty to defend the interest of the vast majority of Rivers people, whose mandate he holds.
How many even know that he came very close to being shot at by a military officer on March 20, 2016, a day after the first leg of the serial Rivers Rerun Elections, right within the premises of the Mile One Police Station where he had gone to ensure an apprehended fraudulent electoral officer was not allowed to go scot-free as was being demanded by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), led by the current Minister for Transportation, erstwhile Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
The complete story of what transpired there would be told later. But it’s worthy of note that the lady, the fraudulent electoral officer, was shielded from prosecution by the very same Federal Government that would later framed up innocent election officers who refused to do its bidding.
The December 10, 2016 re-scheduled election was no different and not even that of February 25, 2017. Each came with the unnecessary firepower of the military, but met the defying presence of Rivers people as led by Governor Wike, himself.
On December 12, two days after the 2nd leg of the serial Rerun Elections, he stood in the middle of bullets that rained freely, right before the entire world as beamed across social media from the Port Harcourt City Council, as Security men on the orders of the Federal Government sought to compromise the outcome of that election. Amaechi was said to be physically present there as were his allies. The failure to achieve the unlawful purpose by the Federal Government, again, led to the framing up and subsequent dismissal of the security details of Governor Wike, who gave him cover as he stood in the way of the enemies of democracy.
February 25, 2017 was the ultimate electoral bloodbath especially in Ogoni land. Bullets picked and killed citizens. Electoral Mandates were stolen as election results were written in hotels and homes of APC Stalwarts. Announcing the final results took many days to come as evidence showed the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had as usual secured popular votes. Not even the presence of colluding Agents of the Federal Government within INEC’s leadership could upturn them as Governor Wike, empowered by the mandate of Rivers people maintained that their votes must count, and, indeed, they largely counted. He never slept. He never compromised. He stood his ground and fought the fight like the man of courage, they, the opposing elements, had always known him to be and dreaded.
This piece is not to catalogue the many fights of Governor Wike, working with other patriots across the country, for democracy . It is to celebrate him as a perfect model for good and informed citizenship.
For every unlawful attack he had, it is instructive to note that his response was lawful. This is what is expected of democratic icons. This is what citizens should aspire to, rather than the recourse to violence and bloodletting.
Wike is undoubtedly Nigeria’s champion of democracy, as what we enjoy today, as debased as it is, could have been much worse, but for people like him who stood in the gap upholding what’s left of our cherished democratic values.
Changing the evil change can only take courage. Citizens must brace up and fight for their liberties as Governor Wike has done and won many times.
Happy Democracy Day.
Oraye St. Franklyn is a barrister-at-law. He is senior special assistant to Governor Nyesom Wike on Social Media. He is a strategic communicator and good governance advocate, writes from Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He tweets from @RealOraye. He is also on Facebook.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
