By Sandra Kenneth
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that good governance should extend beyond physical infrastructure to include stomach infrastructure.
Wike made the assertion on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting with leaders of the Evo Kingdom in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. Addressing the local administration’s performance, the former governor emphasized that human welfare and political patronage must complement physical development like road construction.
“I told the current chairman that good governance is not only roads; good governance is also my stomach,” Wike said, referring to a message he delivered to local leadership. “You are the chairman today, and that seat is for Akpor, not for you alone. Everybody from Akpor cannot be chairman, which is why you hold that office.”
Reflecting on local political dynamics, Wike highlighted the career of former Obio-Akpor Local Government Area Chairman, Solomon Eke. The Minister noted that despite political friction during Eke’s tenure, long-standing political alliances should not be discarded over past differences.
Calling Eke forward during the gathering, Wike recounted the effort involved in securing Eke’s initial election as council chairman before political disagreements arose.
“I warned him to be careful, as what I was hearing about him would not end well politically,” Wike stated, while reassuring supporters that Eke would not be abandoned despite their past political falling-out.
