Wike ‘blackens’ Maeba’s face in Ogoniland

24 hours after, Wike ‘blackens’ Maeba’s face in Ogoniland

By PHC Telegraph 

Senator Lee Maeba, according to reports that are pouring in, is reeling under the weight of a devastating and point blank attack unleashed by Governor Nyesom Wike.

The former cook as Governor Wike described him has been shocked by reactions that are now trailing him, particularly in Ogoniland  after the State’s Chief Executive made some startling revelations.

“A prominent Ogoni politician, name withheld, told this publication, “This our people are wonderful ooo! They come here, among their own people to lie and deceive us at will.

“Friday, was such a good day. Wike fulfilled his promise. He delivered the Bori-Kono Road. Ogoni under Wike is beginning to look like a prospering oil producing area.

“It was also a day in Ogoni history that most of us shall not forget. Now we know how some of our leaders in Ogoni operate, how in pursuit of narrow parochial interests, they use and short-change our people.”

Despite attempts by some pro-Atiku supporters to create the impression that Wike was going to Ogoni to incite Ogoni people against their leaders, Wike did not spare Lee Maeba.

Maeba, a fair skinned Ogoni who was in the red chambers, has for weeks pranced for a fight with Governor Nyesom Wike on national television.

He has even accused Wike of all manner of things, including saying Wike is after his precious life.

On Friday, Maeba apparently got a damning, but some say, befitting response from the Rivers Governor.

Saturday, Rt. Hon Ogbonna Nwuke, Spokesman of the PDP Campaign Council in Rivers State told a radio station in Port Harcourt that Wike was right to reply to Senator Maeba.

Nobody, he noted, should be surprised that Wike responded to allegations that border on thuggery, violence and attempted murder.

Saying it didn’t matter where Wike replied Maeba, Nwuke insisted the governor was well within his limits.

---

Wike who was in Ogoniland to commission the Bori – Kono Road at the weekend took Maeba to the cleaners.

“Now, look at me. What will I benefit from killing him”, Governor Wike asked.

“As at the time I had my first degree in political science, your son (Maeba) was a cook.

“As at the time I had my degree in law, he was a cook, and as at the time I was called to the bar, he was also a cook”, Wike narrated.*

However, it is not the revelation of his humble beginning that has hurt Maeba, more Ogonis are whispering about the oil well and the huge windfall that is being associated with it.

Wike revealed how the Senator swallowed about $15 million through an oil well which may have been meant for the benefit of the Ogoni nation.

The Ogoni struggle has been premised all along on resource control, the prospect of an Ogoni nation, and a stiff resolve by the Ogoni to get the oil majors and the nation to ameliorate their suffering.

The impact of oil exploration activity on the Ogoni environment  is well known globally.

The Ogoni clean up is perhaps evidence of what is being done on the basis of the UNEP Report to deal with the environmental pollution that has become part of everyday life in Ogoniland.

To imagine that some Ogoni politicians may be raking in hay, purely from a selfish perspective, has got ordinary Ogonis talking after Wike left Ogoniland.

Wike, some strategists insist has worked more than any Rivers leader to create increasing access in Ogoni and other parts of  the Rivers grassroots.

Early in the week, the Wike administration commissioned the Ahoada Road which has been dualized by his administration. Ahoada is in the Ahoada East Local Government Area.

Julius Berger which handled the project has received instructions to proceed with the dualization process to Omoku in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

Two more road projects may be commissioned soon.

They are the first phase of the Trans Kalahari Road  in the Kalabari speaking area and the Chokocho-Igbodo Road in the Etche Local Government Area.

However, there appears to be a stretch of about six kilometers between Igbodo and the Imo State Boundary that may not have been covered by the initial contract agreement

It is possible that Governor Nyesom Wike may be unaware of this development.

Meanwhile, Governor Wike is to hold a meeting with Ogoni monarchs on the 31st of December.

“Before I forget and go further, let me tell all of you, all recognized Ogoni traditional rulers”, Wike declared  “I don’t want to hear anyone traveled, if anyone has traveled go and bring the person back.

“On the 31st of December, I want to see all of you. Anyone who is not there should know that he has abdicated his throne. I want to see those who are alive and those who are not alive.”

There are speculations in certain circles that the Ogoni traditional institution may have lost one or some of their own.

“If a traditional ruler in government, first class, second class, or third class dies, the government must know. So someone will not stay at the back and start collecting their money, pretending that they are alive”, Wike added.