Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers says he will bow out of office on May 29 as a fulfilled man, having positively impacted the 23 local government areas of the state.

The governor charged the incoming administration on stewardship.

Mr Wike made the statement during a thanksgiving service organised by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday at All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Rumuokwurushi, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Wike said only a blind man or an enemy of the state would refuse to admit the extent of the spread of equitable infrastructure across the state.

“If your politics is not about the interest of your people, then you have a problem; the electorate are now wiser; you must be ready to present a full ‘report card’ to your people by 2027 if you must continue in politics.”

The governor also attributed the party’s victory at the polls to the evidential impacts of good governance and gender balance.

He said females were serving as vice-chairmen in the 23 local government areas, with not less than five female ward councillors in each area and also a handful of female Senators and Members-elect.

The governor urged the governor-elect, Siminialayi Fubara, and his team not to be distracted by the opposition “bent on dragging them at the tribunal.”

Earlier, the programme’s host and bishop in charge of the cathedral, Innocent Ordu, noted that Nigeria needed political officeholders who were problem solvers, not excuse givers.

“We need performance, and we need game changers like the outgoing governor, Nyesom Wike, who is indeed a game changer.

“To achieve good governance, particularly in Rivers, Mr Governor-elect, I urge you to assemble a very strong team which, by all standards, is competent and capable,” he said.

(NAN)