Regional cooperation: Wike rallies PDP govs, visits Enugu, Abia, Bayelsa

– Visits Enugu, Abia, Bayelsa.

Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has undertaken a political pilgrimage of the South-South and South-East states in a bid to foster regional cooperation.

The two-day swing across the states took Wike to Bayelsa, Abia and Enugu states where he met with stakeholders on the need for cross fertilization of ideas, in continuation of his commitment to building regional ties.
Wike was received on Saturday at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

He stated that he would continue to be an advocate of regional and inter-regional cooperation for the purpose of enhancing development in the country .

Governor Wike maintained that it is vital for governors to meet on different platforms to share ideas, proposals and peer review each other for the good of the governed.

The governor stressed that regional cooperation is vital to the deepening of the nation’s democracy and the needed force to propel development at the level of the states.

The governor who was accompanied to Enugu by the Former Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus had a closed door meeting with the Enugu State Governor and key stakeholders at the Government House in Enugu.

Governor Wike told journalists after the meeting that he was comparing notes with his brother governors. He said:
“You Know this is my brother governor. I am here on a visit for us to compare notes for the development of our respective states.

“I have come around for him to brief me of some things he is doing for us to make the desired progress

“For PDP governors, we believe that we should work together and see that we improve the lives of our people”.
Wike had earlier visited his Bayelsa State counterpart, Seriake Dickson and they agreed to deepen cooperation between their two states to enhance rapid development .

The two governors met at the Government House, Yenagoa. Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah and Former Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus were present at the meeting.

Addressing journalists after the closed door meeting, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stated that the two states will work together to enhance development.

He said: “We will work together, we will partner together economically, politically and otherwise to develop our two states.”

The governor said that the spirit of regional cooperation will be strengthened, pointing out that new areas of cooperation will be created amongst the two states.

“This cooperation will be taken further to cover the South-South Governors Forum. We are working out fresh modalities for the growth of our states”, he said.

Governor Wike expressed happiness that he visited Bayelsa State to promote inter-state friendship, pointing out that the friendship will continue to grow.

The Rivers State Governor lauded Governor Dickson for his developmental strides.

Also speaking, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson said that they agreed to intensify consultations in the interest of the people of the two states.

He said: “We have agreed to intensify these consultations in the interest of our people and in the interest of the Niger Delta region.

“We have started the process of consultation and interactions which we intend to move forward and deepen.

Governor Seriake Dickson said the people of Bayelsa and Rivers States are from common ancestry, hence the need to work together.
Governor Wike also visited Abia States where he similarly canvassed regional cooperation for greater development.