…Flags off 9,000 capacity convocation arena
Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
As preparation to the 2023 political dispensation gradually gathers momentum, the Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike has vowed to rubbish any Vice Chancellor(VC) that leaves his career as an academic to meddle into politics, pointing out that his political ambition would have been truncated in 2015 and 2019 by the actions of some lecturers, particularly VCs from the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
Wike made the vow while flagging off a 9,000 sitting capacity convocation arena at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. According to him, there is no justification for academics, especially Vice Chancellors to abandon their career of producing intellectual manpower to meddle into politics.
“Let me warn, not one person will dare to rig election in Rivers State. Not one person will dare it. I have told people, allow university community to produce those who will be leaders of this country. Don’t turn university community to be where you will have politicians who manipulate and change the mandate of the people. Anybody who does that, you know it is a coup and you know the punishment for coup plotters.”
The governor stressed that the reason why there is so much tussle these days on who becomes Vice Chancellor of federal universities, is because of political interference by extraneous forces.
He described as disheartening a situation whereby lecturers who are supposed to be revered in the society, wilfully compromise their integrity, just to become Vice Chancellor, who will afterwards be used to manipulate elections.
Governor Wike warned that any Vice Chancellor that allows himself to be used to rig election in Rivers State, should be prepared for the consequences of such hineous act.
“If you want to play politics with us, I will rub you mud. If you want to join us (politicians), openly come and join us. But if you want to hide under the university and face the consequences, the choice is yours,” Wike said.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Professor Stephen Okodudu commended Governor Wike for consistently identifying with the ideals and aspiration of the university.
In a chat with the Paramount Ruler of Choba, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area,HRH,Eze Raymond Okocha, he said the Governor has displayed uncommon love for UNIPORT, despite the fact that it is a federal institution.
He said Wike does not discriminate between State and Federal projects, citing the flyovers he built on federal roads as example.
Eze Okocha said he tips Wike for national political position, stressing that he would replicate what he is doing in the state across the nation if given the opportunity.
The Royal Father said he overlooked the management of UNIPORT for not allowing him to present kolanut at the event as tradition demands not to heat up the polity.