Wike, Fubara prove spin doctors wrong
… go about together as transition enters final lap
By PHC Telegraph
Governor Nyesom Wike campaigning for the Governor-elect, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and all PDP candidates at the rally which held in the Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.Despite claims that the outgoing Rivers Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike and his successor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara may have clashed over sundry issues, both men are still being seen in public together as the State’s transition agenda enters its final and decisive stage.
Investigations conducted behind the scene by the Port Harcourt Telegraph indicate that such a disagreement never took place.
Elders of the State as well as high ranking government and party officials spoken to say there is no iota of truth in the claim that Wike and Fubara are quarrelling.
“If we are not aware of such a development”, an elder who is close to the governor remarked, “where did the reporter get is story?
“It is obviously the handwork of mischief makers who wish to create deep cleavages between the outgoing leader and his successor.”
The Telegraph reports the Governor-elect has not only been seen in public in the company of Governor Wike, the sitting arrangement at various fora has not changed for one day.
While the outgoing Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo seats directly on the left side of the State governor at different fora except when his wife accompanies him, the governor-elect, Sir Siminalayi has continued to seat on his immediate right according to what we have observed.
Sir Siminalayi Fubara vowed publicly that he not betray the confidence reposed in him by Governor Wike and other party leaders.Besides, there has no abrupt change in the plan by Wike to flag off the Opobo ring road.
That project is expected to be flagged off this weekend by Governor Wike as part of the last functions that he will perform in office.
“These are some of the tiny clues that you look out for while dealing with that kind of report”, an experienced journalist said.
“Of course that sensational piece of news caught State and national attention, but it did not provide details that rational minds were looking out for”, he added.
On May 29, Governor Wike will in the presence of Rivers people handover the mantle of power to the incoming governor.
Wike said at the flag off of the construction of a new set of Federal courts on Wednesday that he would personally perform the ceremony.
Recall that the outgoing Rivers governor did not enjoy the benefit of an official handover of the reins of power from his predecessor who was conspicuously absent in 2015.
Why they are telling cock and bull tales
Seen together: Governor-elect, Siminalayi Fubara seen in the company Nyesom Wike on Wednesday during the foundation laying ceremony of the palace of Eze Apara Rebisi.Governor Nyesom Wike who reacted to the report that he had resorted to a fight with his successor said that persons whom he has defeated “right, left and center” were behind the spread of what he plainly referred to as “fake news.”
He wondered how it could be said that he is already having crisis with someone who is yet to be sworn into office.
The report which got people talking had claimed Fubara, a former Accountant General of Rivers State and a Permanent Secretary under Wike’s administration was unwilling to inherit the enemies of the outgoing helmsman.
Accordingly, the report alleged that Fubara had decided to invite certain powerful PDP chieftains, including Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the defeated Presidential Candidate, to grace his inauguration.
Wike, a veteran of several political wars noted in his response that he understood why there are attempts to place a wedge between Fubara and himself through the devious spin of false and unsubstantiated tales.
“I defeated them all – right, left and centre. They are not satisfied. Now, they are coming up with a cock and bull story”, Governor Wike said of persons whose names he did not mention.
Stressing that It was too early in the day for anyone to infer that there are differences, the outgoing Rivers governor declared, “I’m still in charge.”
“Here is somebody who is yet to be sworn in as governor,”, one of the State’s most outstanding leaders who has brought glory to the land of his birth explained, “so what will bring the fight?
” Honestly, I don’t know what the peddlers of this fake news wanted to achieve. Are they not tired?”
With a few days to go the formal handover to a new government in Rivers State, Wike and Fubara who are very close continue to prove the point that nothing has happened to rock the boat.