by Fatai Abiodun
The intention of the drafters of the constitution is to promote unity among all the arms and tiers of government while maintaining their respective independence and sanctity of their offices.
I have been watching the governor of Rivers state, Gov. Nyeson Wike’s unprecedented development to the democracy in Nigeria with keen interest. His type is not common in the annals of our democracy and history would forever be kind to him for the unassuming steps being taking to move the treasure Base of the Nation to a greater height.
Gov. Wike has used development to silence opposition in the state simply because he knows how to get things done and the priority of his people remains his topmost agenda.
Gov. wike is the only governor named Mr. Project, the title that no one can dispute. One would wonder if Rivers State is an annex of the Federal Capital Territory where the federal project could be sighted.
Those that contributed to his emergence as the governor of the state should be proud of their decisions because the governor has done well. Gov. Wike is indeed a promise keeper and the common man on the street can attest to it.
It was the Current Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio during his tenure as the governor of the Akwa Ibom State who boasted of his decision of constructing the federal roads simply because he believes that the so-called federal roads are being used by the people of Akwa Ibom state, even when the common man did not know that the Governor would still demand for every kobo spent on such projects.
Interestingly, the cheery news about the golden son of the soil and the bar, Gov. Nyesom Wike who is not only building federal roads but also building everlasting structure and infrastructure for federal institutions domiciled in the state. The pertinent question is who will pay him back and what is the main reason behind embarking on such gigantic projects for the federal institution?
If society would permit, I would have love to sponsor a constitutional amendment that would allow the transfer of performing governor to rule in another state. I would be glad to mobilize the very good people of my state to ensure we take Gov. Wike on transfer so that my people can at least feel and sense the true essence of governance.
Irrespective of your political affiliations, it’s only the enemy of the nation that would not pray for people like Gov. Wike to govern his/her state.
Today, Gov. Wike is standing tall among others and the story of Rivers state would not be completed without highlighting Gov. Wike’s tremendous achievements in repositioning the state. Indeed, it’s a new dawn in Rivers State.
The building of a gigantic National Industrial Court complex in 2019 and the recent commissioning of official judges’ quarters for residential judges of the court is uncommon and evergreen to the administration of justice.
While commissioning the project, Gov. Wike said almost all the federal institutions have benefitted from the gesture of the state. So, the industrial court is not the only federal institution. Indeed, the noble gesture extended to the industrial court is truly uncommon and the hope of the common man seeking labour justice is assured.
In his welcome address, the State Attorney General, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor SAN said the provision of accommodation for judicial officers was a deliberate attempt of the governor to enhance justice productivity that the State Government is conscious of the need to bring labour justice more closely to the people of the state and its environs.
Though many people were of the erroneous opinion that it’s not the responsibility of the state to cater for the federal institution, a responsible governor like Gov. Wike knew very well that though the industrial court is a federal institution, he maintained that the good people of Rivers State and its residents are the greatest beneficiaries of that government institution, a radical thought that clearly distinguishes Gov. Wike from other governors.
No law prohibits state government from building infrastructure for the federal institution, the constitution wants them to work hand in hand for the betterment of the society so that the common man can truly experience the essence of governance.
He has made the member of the bar and judiciary proud. The assumption that the court would give judgment in favour of the government by default is fallacious. If one can take a cursory look at the rate of winning of the decided cases in industrial Court, one will see that employee has 60 percent of the winning rate while 20 percent was struck out for lack of due diligence and 20 percent dismissed for lacking merit. See https://nicnadr.gov.ng/media and be the judge.
The judges have sworn on oath of impartiality and will always deliver judgment based on the facts and evidence presented before them in line with what the laws say. So, therefore, the assumption of government winning cases by default cannot hold any substance.
Taking solace in the words of the president of the Industrial Court at the celebration of the new legal year 2020/2021, Justice Benedict Kanyip conveniently said and I quote “we have never ceased to stress that an employer cannot treat an employee shabbily and expect a pat on the back from this court.” This awesome statement gives succor to all justice seekers that there is hope at the end of the tunnel and the court will continue to deliver justice irrespective of who is who.
Indeed, Gov. Wike has laid a beautiful foundation and raised the benchmark for being a statesman. The gesture to help develop the judiciary as the only hope of the common man simply identifies that he truly understands the essence of the judiciary in the nation’s building.
Verily, history would be kind to him, and generations yet unborn would surely learn from him benevolence to justice administration.
Fatai Abiodun, ICT Expert, and Journalist writes from Abuja can be reached via albarka200709@yahoo.com
