The gubernatorial ambition of the Supervising Minister for Education, Chief (Barr) Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike has suffered a fresh set back, as no fewer than twenty eight (28) chiefs and elders from Rivers State met in Port Harcourt.
The meeting took place recently at the residence of Chief Bekinbo Soberekon in New GRA, Port Harcourt. Chief Soberekon was a former governorship candidate in the state. The meeting which lasted for over four (4) hours featured discussions on strategies of frustrating Chief Wike from contesting the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state. Our political correspondent who closely monitored the proceedings of the meeting reported that the attendants cut across the nooks and the crannies of the state. The meeting was dominated by the Kalabaris.
According to impeccable sources the meeting were attended by the following politicians: Chief Anabs Sara Igbe, Engr Sampson Ngeregbara, Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs, Prof. Owante, Hon Oseleye Ojuka, Sotonye Ijuye-Dagogo, Chief Ngo Reuben Briggs.
Others are: Hon. Lolo Ibieneye, Chief Bekinbo Soberekon, Lolo Berepiki, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, Faye Dikio (SAN) and several other prominent Rivers chiefs and elders. During the said meeting it was collectively agreed that they would adopt every known political strategy possible within their reach to ensure that Wike does not contest the February 28, 2015 governorship election in Rivers State.
The Rivers chiefs and elders further resolved to sent emissaries to Abuja, the federal capital territory to inform the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan that for the purposes of equity and fair play the next governor of Rivers State must come from the riverine axis of the state.
Beside, the latest meeting at Chief Soberekon’s residence to crush Wike’s ambition there are several socio-political groups that are vehemently opposing the governorship aspiration of the Supervising Minister for Education. These groups are the Kengema Unity Forum (KUF) under the leadership of Comrade Soboma Jackrich, alias Egberipapa, Kalika under the watchful eyes of Sotonye Ijuye Dagogo, Ijaw Democratic Front (IDF) headed by Comrade Kenneth Robinson and so many others.
It is very surprising that despite the series of opposition, more ethnic nationalities are still endorsing the Federal Minister for the plum job in 2015. The latest came from the Etche ethnic nationality. Speaking to newsmen, an elderstatesman, Chief Emma Anyanwu extolled the leadership style of the Federal Minister for Education. According to him, going by his track record, and what he (Wike) has done to uplift the ruling PDP the Etche ethnic nationality has collectively endorsed Wike as the next governor of Rivers State.
Now the question arises: Can Chief (Barr.) Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike scale through the hurdles to become the next governor of Rivers State come 2015?
According to political analysts, if chief Wike is allowed to pick the gubernatorial ticket on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party PDP, nothing will hinder him to secure the People’s mandate and become the next governor of Rivers State. The political analysts said that the only way to forestall Chief Wike from winning the governorship election is to deny him from getting the ticket, if not nothing will stop him from actualizing his dream of governing Rivers State come May 29, 2015 and beyond.
No doubt Chief Wike has done much for the sustainability of the ruling party in the state. Before the emergence of the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI), the popularity and the activities of the party have been relegated to the background. Then the PDP was controlled by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and some few individuals, that did not allow other members to benefit anything from the party.
Most founding members of the party were thrown out of the activities and business of the party, which was unhealthy to the development of the party.
Things continue to go wrong in the party until Chief Wike suddenly emerged with his political outfit, GDI and made a lot of corrections. Since then the party under the leadership of Hon. Felix Obuah is doing well and also spread its tentacles across the twenty three (23) Local Government Areas of the state.
According to a prominent member of the party from Oyigbo LGA, Elder John Nwankama, the Federal Minister for Education should be given the party ticket expressly stating “that is the only way to tell him thank you for salvaging the party from destruction”. ###
