Information reaching our political desk has it that, the leader of the defunct Niger Delta Vigilante Force, Chief Ateke Tom, last weekend held a crucial meeting with his loyalists. The major discussions of the said meeting according to a close source was centered on the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state. Ateke is an indigene of Okochiri in the Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
During the meeting this weekly gathered that Ateke urged his loyalists and supporters to solidly throw their weight behind a riverine governor in 2015.
Knowledgeable sources hinted this publication that, the ex-Niger Delta war lord is in support of riverine governor, saying that he would not give his support to any gubernatorial aspirant outside the riverine community.
If Ateke at this point in time is kicking against an upland governor in 2015, then Supervising Minister for Education, Chief Barr. Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike is in trouble.
Ateke is very close to the First Lady of the Federation, Mrs. Patience Jonathan and considering her stand on the gubernatorial election in 2015, nobody knows whose script the leader of the defunct Niger Delta Vigilante Force is playing.
This weekly recalled that during the inauguration of LGA and Ward officers of the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) in the Okrika Local government Area, the ex-militant and hundreds of his supporters pledged their loyalty to the federal minister.
Ateke, according to our correspondent’s report has warned the former Federal Minister for Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo and the secretary of ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Ibibia Walter not to give their support to Chief Wike, if not things will begin to fall apart.
Adding that he would vehemently oppose any attempt by the duo to give their political blessing to Wike.
Shortly after the said meeting Ateke’s gubernatorial posters flooded the entire Port Harcourt city and its environs. Though as at the time of filing in this report Ateke has not denied that he is not eyeing the Brick House come 2015. ###
