Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has explained why he declined to contest for a Senate seat after completing his second term as governor of Rivers State.
Wike said he rejected the opportunity to join the National Assembly because he believed becoming a lawmaker would restrict his freedom to express his views on national issues.
The minister made this known on Friday during the commissioning of a pedestrian bridge at the Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Abuja.
He said, “Many governors today, when they are done, they want to go to the National Assembly, but I said that I won’t go. They asked me why, and I said I would be prevented from speaking my mind.
“Since I won’t be able to speak my mind, there is no need for me to go there. That is true. Everybody has forgotten what this country was before now.”
Wike maintained that he prefers to speak freely about issues affecting the country, regardless of the position he occupies.
According to him, his decision not to pursue a legislative career was informed by his desire to retain the freedom to express his opinions on the state of the nation.
The former Rivers State governor also called on political and religious leaders to place greater emphasis on providing quality leadership, stressing the need to prioritise the welfare and interests of ordinary Nigerians.
