Secondus tackles Wike, accuses ex-gov of working against Rivers
Chigozie Amadi
Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of being the mastermind of the current charged political atmosphere in Rivers State.
The former PDP national chairman made the accusation on the heels of Wike’s incessant feud with the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, saying the FCT minister had been demarketing the state because Governor Fubara had blocked all loopholes that could grant him access to the revenues in the coffers of Rivers State.
Secondus alleged that Wike had instructed his aides and political associates to continuously malign and sabotage the peace, progress, and prosperity of Rivers State by ceaselessly attacking Governor Fubara and other leaders of the state in the media.
He further stated that Wike’s media attacks against the political leaders of Rivers were “unwarranted and diversionary.”
Meanwhile, the FCT minister said he has never asked Governor Fubara, his estranged political godson, or anyone else to worship him in the state.
This is just as he assured members of the State House of Assembly loyal to him that nobody can remove them from office.
Wike stated this while speaking at an event to honour former Senator, George Senior in Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.
Recall that Governor Fubara at a recent function in Port Harcourt while commenting on the crisis in the state had said he respects and acknowledges Wike’s pivotal role in his governorship emergence, but that he would not worship any man.
Also, at the burial of the late mother of former Rivers State Governor, Celestine Omehia in Ubima, Ikwerre local government area of the State, Fubara has said ‘I won’t Govern Rivers on bended knees’.
But Wike in his reply wondered where the issue of ‘worship’ which his successor mentioned emanated from.
He said, “I came because I respect people who appreciate what God has done for them and what God has used people to do for them.
“God does not come down. God uses people to help people. I have never told anybody to worship me. Nobody can worship man. All of us believe that we only have one God. And it is only that God we worship; and we will continue to worship that God.
“As politicians, we appreciate people who have helped. Ogu-Bolo people when I came to ask you to support me, you supported me. Did I worship you? But I have to appreciate you. I never said I would worship you. Did I tell you to worship me? So why did the issue of worship come.”
He commended the chiefs and people of Ogu-Bolo for not allowing politics to divide them, saying, “You have not allowed politics to make you dishonour your son. That shows people who have leaders of their community in mind.”
He apologised to the people for what he termed wrong judgment, which he said, shows that man is prone to errors.
“In life when you make a mistake, there is nothing you can do about it. I have made a mistake, I didn’t know it all. I say God forgive me and I say all of you forgive me.
“But we will correct it at the appropriate time. I’m a human being. I’m bound to make mistakes. My judgment can be wrong. So forgive me for making a wrong judgment. That is part of life, so nobody should kill himself,” the FCT minister said.
On Fubara’s recent remarks that some of the lawmakers stayed with him and he paid their children’s fees, Wike jested that he never knew the latter was so rich.
“See the Assembly people in their different constituencies. I never knew you were saying rich. I never knew your father was the Managing Director of Shell.
“You were feeding the Assembly people, paying their children’s school fees. I never knew that. It is unfortunate. “
‘We’re in full control’
Also, the Peoples Democratic Party has declared full control over Rivers State, asserting that Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the party now dominate the state’s political landscape.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Saturday, the party claimed that all legislators who defected to the All Progressives Congress have forfeited their seats, citing constitutional provisions.
Recall that on Tuesday, the state government dismissed a call by the state APC for the pro-Wike House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against Gov. Fubara.
Ologunagba emphasised that legal considerations now overwhelmingly favour the PDP, dismissing the APC’s claims as futile attempts to subvert Nigeria’s constitution.
He stated, “It is indeed pathetic for the APC to think that the facts and true import of Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to the effect that the former lawmakers have since lost their seats can be muddled and lost in litigation and lengthy press statements.
“Interestingly, in the failed bid to subvert the Constitution to give the former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly a lifeline, the APC ended up admitting the clarity of the provision of Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in voiding their seats upon their defection.”
In a similar vein, the Rivers State Police Command has explained why its operatives occupied the entrances of the State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt.
Recall that about 30 armed policemen and over 25 patrol vans were stationed at both entrances leading to the Assembly quarters located along Aba Road in the state capital.
The state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, had visited the legislative quarters unannounced with a retinue of security aides and other plain cloth operatives on Wednesday, sending cold shivers down the spine of the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Reacting to the unscheduled visit which he described as unfortunate, Amaewhule alleged that Governor Fubara has concluded plans to demolish the facility built by his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike.
However, the spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement late on Friday night said the deployment of its operatives at the Assembly quarters was to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The statement is entitled “Rivers State Police Command Clarifies Presence at Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters’ and sent to newsmen.
It reads, “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to clarify the recent reports regarding our presence at the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters.
“Our deployment in the area is solely aimed at ensuring peace and preventing any possible breakdown of order.
“We assure the public that there is no cause for alarm, and all individuals are encouraged to continue their lawful activities without fear.
“Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we work towards maintaining a safe and secure environment for all.”
