·Ex-VP: Minister playing politics with the suffering of Nigerians
Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, said he would continue to be a problem to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi and governors elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
He also berated Rivers State governor, Siminalyi Fubara, for allegedly casting aspersions on some elders, describing him as an ingrate.
Wike, who spoke at a luncheon he organised in honour of the 10th Legislative Assembly of Rivers State in Port Harcourt, said he has no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu instead of his party's presidential candidate, Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 elections.
His words: "In fact, most of you do not understand the fight that is going on. Do you think it is these people here? No.
"Let me tell you what is going on, I have no regret at all and we have no regret at all for supporting President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. I have no regret about it.
"All these things you are seeing by Atiku's group, Peter Obi's group and some PDP governors that believe that I am a problem to them. And I will continue to be a problem to them.
"In fact, the Atiku's group believes that my team and I stopped them from becoming president. And we stopped in justice. What we wanted was equity, fairness and justice."
While speaking about Fubara, Wike said the governor insulted the former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, OCJ Okocha.
He claimed Fubara insulted a former chairman of Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, King Sergeant Awuse and Chief Ferdinand Anabraba.
Describing Awuse, Anabraba and Okocha as the "Three Wise Men", the FCT Minister said they made sacrifices to ensure that Fubara emerged governor.
He said: "On Thursday, another "Wise Man", referring to OCJ Okocha, was insulted. When the "Wise Man" was called to the bar, this man, Fubara, was not in primary school. This man, Fubara, insulted a PhD holder.
"I am happy, I'm not the only one this man, Fubara has shown ingratitude. He has shown ingratitude to the "Wise Men."
"One of the Wise Men, Awuse, was removed as the chairman of Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council when he was in a coma, when he was looking for support."
The minister recalled that some time ago, Fubara, on television, described the three elder statesmen as wise men.
"The "Wise Men" are now turned upside down. Yes, he also turned them upside down. It is unfortunate in life. If you're a bad man, you're a bad man."
Meanwhile, Atiku in a statement by his Media Aide, Paul Ibe, said Wike's statement not only lacked substance but was also driven by grievances.
His words: "Our attention has been drawn to the recent remarks made by Mr. Nyesom Wike, which can only be described as another of his theatrical outbursts. Ordinarily, we would not respond, but we recognize that silence might be misinterpreted.
"However, we remain calm, knowing that Nigerians are well acquainted with his antics, a lingering symptom of the bitterness he harbours from his defeat to the Wazirin Adamawa at the 2022 party presidential primaries.
Wike's comments are nothing more than a string of inanities, lacking substance and driven by personal grievances. If he truly believes Nigerians are content with the current state of affairs under the government he serves, it reveals a deeper truth: his priorities lie not with the people but with himself.
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This self-absorption is evident in his preoccupation with domestic affairs in Rivers rather than his ministerial responsibilities.
While he may seek to divert attention with his baseless rants, we remain focused on the genuine issues affecting Nigerians. Mr. Wike is more concerned with self-interest than addressing the real challenges faced by the nation.
In contrast, our commitment remains unwavering, centred on the welfare and progress of the people.
"Wike appears to delight in conjuring fantasies, indulging in his imagination, and paying for live TV coverage to launch tirades against whomever he pleases. However, we shall not descend into the gutters where he feels at home. Instead, we prefer to rise above, maintaining our dignity while others revel in the mud."
