Wike Acknowledges Sacrifice Made By Obuah, Others
● Agrees he may have taken unpalable steps
By PHC Telegraph
The former Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has reportedly apologized to members of the PDP who were dissuaded from taking part in the governorship contest.
Wike who made the appeal while speaking at an occasion in the Rivers capital, Port Harcourt, said the decision by members of his team to field Siminalayi Fubara was influenced by a strong resolve to promote a sense of unity and belonging among Rivers people.
Although he said he has no regrets for the steps he took to ensure the election of his successor in office, he understood the sacrifice made by all others who did not contest the governorship as a result of the intervention of the Elders and himself.
Turning to Rivers people pleaded for forgiveness, saying he is human and so, capable of making mistakes.
“I’m not to say I’m perfect or that every decision I’ve taken is right. I’m a human,” he noted at a time of great reflection .
“I may have made decisions that may not be palatable to everybody but in my position I was influenced to accept it.
“And you accepted it and it turned out to be bad, pls forgive me. Forgive me,” Wike begged.
Asking for understanding, the Minister disclosed that he urged those who showed interest, among them, the former Chairman of the Rivers PDP, Felix Obuah, to set aside their ambitions in the interest of a plan to ensure the emergence of a governor from the riverine bloc.
He revealed that he invited Obuah, a major frontrunner in the race and persuaded him as a friend and loyalist to dump his ambition.
The former governor further hinted that he appealed to him to take up the role of Director-General of the campaign.
Acknowledging Obuah’s long standing friendship, Wike recalled how his predecessor confiscated every property that he had, but he (Obuah) stood with him.
According to him, “Felix Obuah was in my team as chairman of the party. My predecessor seized Obuah’s property, everything he owned, land, schools and hotels.
“The wife cried to him but he told his wife, ‘don’t worry if it is the will of God there is nothing you can do. He stood firm. They took everything he had.
“He was one of the frontrunners in the 2023 governorship election. I told him in my house to step down so that he wouldn’t run. He looked at me but I said you won’t run. He said if that was what I am saying he won’t run.
“Go and campaign for that election”, Wike said, recalling their conversation and Obuah replied, “if that is what you want I will go and do it. And he did it.”
“I see all kinds of things going on. They are talking evil about him. But he is here and he will still be here,” Wike stated.
The former governor took a swipe at persons who have taken to the streets to discuss issues that they have little knowledge of.
“Those, who open their mouths to talk don’t know anything. I was the one who paid for the forms for anybody who wanted to run for elections as governor, House of Assembly and National Assembly. Let one person raise his hand and say he bought forms.
“We say we are all family members with no need for acrimony. Don’t spend your money, we will agree on who will run. The day we made the final decision, the Chairman of the elders’ council nearly collapsed.
“He is here. OCJ Okocha was there, Awuse was there. Omehia was there. He nearly collapsed. Why? He wanted a governor from the riverine area. “
He emphasized that it was necessary to avoid a situation where any impression would be created” that there are people who want to monopolise power.”
He said the idea was to “allow everybody to be part of the power sharing process” because we belong to one Rivers State.”
“And to God be the glory”, Wike stressed, “I don’t regret what I did and I will never regret what I did because I want the unity of this state for us to forge ahead.”