Inspite of the continuous calls for a riverine Governor in Rivers State come 2015, the Supervising Minister for Education, Chief Barr. Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike has commenced campaign to succeed Governor Chibuike Amaechi in May 29, 2015.
Wike has visited so many interest and political groups in the past few months. Now is the turn of ex-militants. Though some ex-warlords in the Niger Delta namely: Alhaji Muhajeed Asari-Dokubo and Chief Ateke Tom vowed to resist any Ikwerre man to continue as a Governor of Rivers State beyond 29 May, 2015. Wike is an Ikwerre man from the Rumuepirikom Community in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Three weeks ago, Wike visited the founder of Kengema Unity Forum (KUF), Comrade Sobomabo Jackrich, alias Egberipapa at his country home in the Degema Consulate, in the Degema Local Government Area. Their discussion lasted for over four (4) hours. Egberipapa is an advocate of a Kalabari Governor in 2015. However, Wike visited him to soften his mind on his philosophy of a Kalabari Governor in 2015. The Newswriter gathered that huge amount of money was given to Egberipapa by the Federal Minister before his departure. Beside this, information that also came to our newsroom revealed that prior to the visit to Egberipapa, the Supervising Minister for Education paid a similar visit to the dreaded ex-militant, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo to seek for his support in 2015.
Meanwhile, The alleged “N25 million largesse” from the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, to an ex-militant “General,” Solomon Ndigbara, aka Osama Bin Ladin, is causing ripples.
Ex-militants are at “war” with Ndigbara over the money, which Wike “donated” on May 8, when he visited Yeghe-Ogoni in Gokana Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the unfavourable sharing formula made many of the “boys” revolt, threatening to withdraw their support for Wike.
But the minister who spoke through his spokesman, Samuel Nwanosike, said no money was given to Ndigbara, when he visited Gokana stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Nwanosike, who is also the PDP State Assistant Publicity Secretary, said: “Wike visited Gokana stakeholders and Ndigbara was in attendance.
“He (Ndigbara) has been a member of the PDP since 1998 and has worked for governments at various levels.
“There was no private discussion between Wike and Ndigbara and no money was given to him by the minister. There is no crisis whatsoever. People are just spreading rumours.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC), through its spokesman, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, asked President Goodluck Jonathan to call the minister to order.
APC said: “Wike is a confused man and an enemy of Rivers State.
“We do not want to go back to the era of militancy, before Rotimi Amaechi became governor in 2007.
“ APC is known for peace and will ensure change in 2015.”
Ndigbara said: “Let me make it clear that the meeting I held with the minister on May 8 was a private visit from the minister to show his love and support on my recent victory in court, against those who persecuted me.
“I do not see how the private visit has frustrated any effort in moving Rivers State or Nigeria forward. I urge APC members to focus on issues and not my private life.”
