Linking Saraki dangerous to nation’s economy –Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom  Wike,  has warned that linking Senate President,  Bukola Saraki, with armed robbery, has negative implications for the economy as investors will shun Nigeria.
Wike said this, yesterday, during the 2018 conference of the state Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The governor  berated the authorities for persecuting  the Senate as an institution and noted that although nobody is above the law, security agencies must follw laid-down processes in the discharge of their duties.
Wike also noted that the unfortunate use of federal security agencies, for political  persecution,  started in Rivers, and pointed out that other leaders kept quiet at a critical time when they needed  to challenge the evil.
“We must talk about the unity and survival of this country.
“If there is no Nigeria, there will be no NIPR.  Can you talk about democracy, when there is no rule of law and when there is serious impunity?” Wike asked NIPR rhetorically.
He said that the current condition of the country does not signal any hope and thanked the NIPR for  the honour done the state, saying that he is only a symbol of the state.
Governor Wike assured NIPR that he will sustain the tempo of development in the state because he runs an administration that focuses on the rapid growth of the state.
He urged the NIPR leadership to work towards the sustenance of democracy, rule of law and the unity of the country.
“2019 is key to the survival of this country. If we get it right, I know what will happen.
“But, if we don’t get it right, I don’t know what will happen.  The NIPR should also lend her voice to credible polls in the country,” he said.
Earlier, the  state chapter of the NIPR enthroned the governor as a patron and bestowed an honorary Fellow on him, in recognition of his outstanding developmental strides and commitment to the service of humanity.
Performing the investiture, National President of NIPR, Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo, commended Wike for the outstanding infrastructural development in the state, which has positively  improved the economy of the state.
“I am thrilled by the achievements of the governor in the  education sector, especially the progressive increase of budgetary allocation to enhance access to education.
“The governor is guilty of over-performing and we sentence him to a time of eternal accolades,” the  NIPR president said.
He disclosed that the governor was nominated by the state chapter of the Institute, with the national body making relevant investigations to confirm Wike’s performance.
Sirajo also added that since 2012, “NIPR has held only three investitures of this nature because the institute believes in honouring only persons of merit.”
-Sun