Wike’s Ambition, Ikwerre Or PDP Agenda: What Gov. Amaechi Has Not Told Rivers People
For quite some months Issues Abattoir has been considering and discussing Politics as it effects the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State with less concentration on the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because it has relatively little issue to settle. Today, it has become imperative to look at certain hidden thoughts of many in the state that are incapacitated to air or discuss their views and now made up or have decided to channel it through this thought provoking column in the international weekly ‘The Newswriter’.
Ordinarily, one’s Political ambition should be seen as a welcome development since it takes courage, determination and of course will, to make such intention known. Thus, Chief Barrister Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike’s ambition could not be an exception even as his political track records may not be hidden at whatever time. It is on record that Barr. Wike has been a two time chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area from 1999- 2007 when the sitting Governor was Speaker Rivers State House of Assembly.
Barr. Wike and Mr. Amaechi are all Indigenes of Ikwerre ethnic nationality irrespective of the local Government differences which is for administrative and developmental purposes.
In the wake of the K-leg Saga in Rivers State when it became obvious that the stage was too hot for Amaechi to thrive, he (Amaechi) took to his heels in search of whatever one may believe, and the Science of Politicking, lobbying and Media war was left in the hands of few led by one man, Wike.
The branded over ambitions man, and Supervising Minister of Education, Wike, was then not over ambitious, he was not power drunk and other ethnic groups were not in existence then. Is this the true story so far over what the state is witnessing today?
The Governor during a courtesy visit by a cross section of Ogu / Bolo Council of chiefs in government house recently told the chiefs to vote against Barr. Wike if he eventually emerges PDP candidate for the 2015 gubernatorial poll.
According to Governor Ameachi during the visit, Wike had said that Ikwerre South has tested the brick house, it is next the turn of Ikwerre North, Positing that if Wike is allowed to get to Government House the other ethnic groups would not have their turn again because the Ikwerre West might also agitate for it. He said Wike began this move while in his cabinet as Chief of Staff, Government House.
No one would have Commented on this issue again if the ruling PDP had elected Barr. Wike through its primaries as its flag bearer but since that is yet to come and the party denying anointing any individual, it is necessary to ponder a while, because the truth must be revealed someday.
Issues Abattoir has before hand in 2013 raised alarm that Governor Ameachi and Barr. Wike are yet to state the facts behind their troubles.
Judging from the Governor’s Speech during the visit of Ogu/ Bolo Council of Chiefs, one would be tempted to question, what was Ameachi’s reply, Comments, reactions and of course message to the citizens of the state?
Sincerely speaking if the governor’s speech or assertion is to be taken seriously, then he has the blame to take and of course should remain mute as he did then. What the governor is doing now is an act of after thought in disguise to exonerate self from blames.
Ordinarily, the governor’s reasoning of giving the business of the Brick House to another ethnic group was a good, welcome and thoughtful idea, if he had publicly reacted to Barr. Wike’s purported claims and have also recognized that there are other ethnic nationalities in the state as at when due.
The sitting Supervising Minister of Education, Wike, was not Sacked as chief of staff in respect to his perceived ambition of Ikwerre North occupying the brick house after Gov. Amaechi, he was not also prevented when he was fighting for supreme court Judgment in 2007, he was not halted when he was leading the campaign for Mr. Governor then, how can he be stopped if he eventually emerges PDP governorship candidate in 2015 election?
This, to Issues Abattoir is practically impossible, acknowledging the fact that APC is just a name in Rivers irrespective of having the State Governor on its expenditure role of honours.
APC does not acquire the weight and grassroots support to vote out any candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state since all that glitters are not gold.
To prevent PDP’s candidate from sailing through the February 28th, 2015 governorship election, a candidate from the South-East Senatorial District must be considered by the APC as the ultimate magic, rather than state intimidation and creating more chances for another K-leg syndrome. It will be difficult because Governor Amaechi has made up his mind on candidate against the riverrine people. It’s also impossibility since the governor does not posses the ultimate power to replace himself in office.
Furthermore, has anyone ever imagined a scenario where Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Chief Barr. Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike dining and wining together, plotting an Ikwerre agenda?
Issues Abattoir does state it is so, but allow political pundits to reason the ever silence of Mr. Governor over Wike’s ambition since he was in Government House.
The Governor, rhetorically questioned the cross section of the Ogu/Bolo Council of Chiefs on whether an Okrika man cannot become a Governor?
It would have been expedient for the Governor to shun all implications and told the Chiefs that, the next Governor would come from Okrika than seeking for diluted favour from the Chiefs who were there perhaps for greener pastures from the State as a collective pause of the people.
Many citizens of the state are of the opinion that the sore relationship between the two Ikwerre sons are only on the periphery, deceiving the entire State of patriotism and concern for other ethnic groups.
It is also posited that the duo and their cronies might have consented and agreed before now to return power back to the Ikwerres, hence the only way to achieve that would be unity in diversity, with a strong show of hatred and war of words. In politics, it is said, “No permanent friend, No permanent enemy”. It would not be surprising at all if at the end of this war, Barr. Wike clinches the Government House and his arch enemy and former ally, Governor Amaechi becomes his friend again in the spirit of Ikwerre ethnic unity.
What a game! Politics is a science and all formulas to arrive at the answer to the current crisis must have been worked out prior to the seeming problem.
Governor Amaechi and Barr. Wike cannot reveal any of such antics if at all it is in anyway related to the on-going crisis in the State, until the battle is fought and won, it is supposed.
It is therefore now the time for other ethnic groups in the State to redouble their efforts, come together and evaluate the political situations and positions in the State for a comprehensive and formidable force aimed at taking destiny in their hands, since time and tide wait for no one.
God bless Rivers State.###
With James Mgboineme
