More facts which show how Governor Nyesom Wike hardened his heart and refused to hearken to the pleas of Etche chiefs and elders are gradually surfacing.
Contrary to widespread belief in some circles that Etche people participated actively in the humiliation of the Igolo of Etche Ethnic Nationality, High Chief Jerome Eke, it is now known that Etche Chiefs and elders literally went down on their knees to beg Governor Wike to allow them take the mortal remains of their son home for a decent burial.
We have learnt that the Onyeshi Etche, His Eminence, Eze E.N.B Opurum led a delegation on behalf of the Etche people to the State Governor to persuade the one who is increasingly turning into a maximum leader to have a change of heart.
We have also gathered that even after the Governor seemingly agreed to the request, the joy of the Etche leaders was short-lived when they arrived at the Military Hospital.
The authorities at the Military Hospital where the remains of the High Chief was deposited, following an understanding that the State Government would give the deceased a state burial, flatly refused to yield, meaning they had no instruction to release the body.
“Governor Wike lured us into believing that our son would be given a state burial”, someone who served on the burial committee revealed.
“This is how the body of Igolo was removed from the mortuary where it was kept and brought to the Military Hospital here in Port Harcourt”, a well placed member of the PDP told the Telegraph Tuesday.
The PDP member went on, “Wike had all this whole thing planned out. He was simply taking the Etche people in the party for a ride when he assured them of a state burial. Wike wanted to lay his hand on the corpse and nothing more.”
“It is difficult to understand what Igolo did to Wike to warrant on this”, a worried Etche politician remarked, ” Wike truly showed that he has no respect for Etche.”
At Egbelubi, across the length and breath of Ndashi and the Etche ethnic nation, abuses and curses are being heaped on the head of Governor Wike by elders of the tribe for the sacrilege that he has committed.
Meanwhile, the people of Etche who are still agonizing over the decision by the Rivers State Government to deny them of the right to bury their departed son may turn their backs on the PDP.
Although the absence of the people at campaign grounds might not result in the defeat of the PDP during the local government elections, many in the area are insisting on a boycott in order to register their displeasure as a people.
Uptil now, the account that the late federal lawmaker died of COVID -19 is not flying amongst the Etche people.
Etche people say Wike has slapped them across the face. The people say there is no proof that the authorities have embarked on contact tracing, and no evidence that those who related to him before the icy hands of death snatched him have tested positive.
Wike is already completing his second tenure. He may not be seeking a fresh mandate, but for the Etche people, there are scores to settle with the Governor and the PDP and not even time is likely to change that.
