Ihunwo: Is He Turning To Wike’s Nightmare?

By PHC Telegraph

Barrister Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who is on the warpath with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State may be thinking about the nature of unfolding events in Obio/ Akpor,  were his stranglehold appears to be snapping, especially as a result of the firm steps that are being taken by the local administration.

It hasn’t been easy since indigenes and non indigenes in the area joined the liberation movement.

A towering statue, symbol of Wike’s strong arm put up in his hey days as governor has been hacked down by a  huge crowd which struck in broad daylight.

Many in the area agree that unfolding events across Obio/Akpor and across the State suggest that a mass rejection of what some see as the high-handedness of the Minister may be underway.

Public opinion may not be on his side at this despite his strong visibility in the media, analysts say.

This is moreso as many more Rivers people accuse him of trying to destabilize a rather peaceful  State.

For the record, Wike hails from Obio/Akpor and Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo, who wonders what he left at the Rivers State Government House after his tenure, has been rather upbeat in his resolve to checkmate Wike’s intrusive acts.

Against the backdrop of growing public outcry, the former Minister who claims he is fighting to protect his political machine has continued to wage an unwanted battle against a legitimate government elected by the Rivers people.

Nowhere is the pushback against anti-democratic forces that are operating in the State highest than in Obio/Akpor.

Is Ihunwo turning into Wike’s nightmare? This is the question that most persons are beginning to ask.

Looking at the trend, there is apparently a battle going on the homefront between the Council Chairman backed by youths and elders as well as women in the area and the supporters of the Minister.

Ihunwo who threatened he would burn down the property of those who attempt to burn or sponsor the burning of the local council headquarters has not hidden his resolve to confront Wike whose climb to the the pinnacle of power in Rivers State began with his election as a council chairman.

The Obio/Akpor Chairman had a couple of days ago, removed the name of the former Rivers Governor that was boldly engraved on the administrative block of the council.

He said on X after pulling down the inscription, “We have changed Wike’s name on the admin block of Obio/Akpor Council, and replaced (same) with the name of SENATOR DR. OBI WALI.”

Now, the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council has moved against the purported interest of the former governor at Oginigba.

As Governor, Wike had allegedly taken land belonging to the community, an action which according to the local people had turned them livid with rage.

Whilst he was in charge, that portion of land was reportedly seized. But it was however, the assurance that government would use the land for a public-owned facility which kept the people at bay.

A sprawling market which existed at Oginigba and which served the purpose of both buyers and sellers also went into extinction.

Ihunwo announced the other day that the council has revoked whatever control that the former governor had over the said portion of land.

He also disclosed that the land, which was allegedly taken forcefully from the people has been returned to them.

Ihunwo said that the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council after painstaking consideration has ordered the reopening of the Oginigba market.

 

A statement issued by the Chairman said, “I have officially reopened Oginigba market that was closed by Wike and their land taken from them.”

In the meantime, the Oginigba people are heaving sighs of relief and thanking their stars, following the development which has suddenly changed the dynamics over the ownership and control of the land.l