- Attacks ex-Gov Omehia, Says “he is am Imbecile”
By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained how his relationship with a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, turned sour.
Wike gave the explanation on Thursday while speaking at the Ahoada East and Ahoada West PDP End of Year Thanksgiving in Rivers State.
The minister was reacting to Secondus’ claim that he (Wike) is an enemy of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
He noted that Secondus is the real enemy of Fubara stressing that the former PDP Chairman opposed the choice of Fubara as Rivers governor in 2023.
Wike said Secondus rather wanted his cousin, Tele Ikuru, to become Rivers Governor.
The FCT Minister, who backed Fubara to become governor, said the stance strained his relationship with Secondus
He also added that he decided to plot the removal of Secondus as the PDP National Chairman for this very reason.
Wike, who has now fallen apart with Fubara, berated Secondus and a former Rivers State governor, Celestine Omehia, for backing Fubara in the ongoing political war.
Recall that last week, Secondus, who was in Rivers State as Fubara’s guest during the inauguration of a road project, told the governor he would overcome his political enemies.
“Be strong and be courageous, because you will overcome your enemies. Those who are shouting in Abuja, how were they made? It is God and some of us and the leaders seated here today that made it possible.
“Your Excellency, don’t worry, power comes from God. The same way God gave it to them through us, God has given it to you. From what we have seen, you will excel because you love and respect the people, leaders, and elders of the State,” Secondus told Fubara.
But speaking on Thursday Wike lampooned Secondus, describing him as Fubara’s real enemy. Wike also refuted claims that he left unfinished projects for Fubara to complete, challenging the governor to name any such uncompleted projects.
He said, “I heard Secondus say the other day in Bori that I awarded the Bori Internal Road as governor.
“I paid 50 per cent and thinking that we have a governor that we all agreed to continue. Secondus was saying that his enemies; who are the enemies of the governor? Secondus that refused him to be governor!
“I kicked out Secondus as PDP National Chairman when he wanted to make his cousin, Tele Ikuru, to be governor. Today, he is saying now that we are enemies.
“He (Seconds) was the one who refused the man (Fubara) to be governor; he wanted his cousin to be governor. He has now become the governor’s friend and we have now become the enemies. To God be the glory,” Wike said.
Wike also attacked Omehia for describing him as an underperformer.
He claimed that Omehia’s grouse with him stemmed from his being booted out of the government house.
“I overheard one imbecile, and let him challenge me, an imbecile Celestine Omehia. I say so and that is why when he wanted to occupy the Government House, I kicked him out. We could not have an imbecile as governor.
“He said they should ask me what I have done for Rivers State. That is why I say he is an imbecile. If he understands that, I am not a minister of a ministry!
“I am the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. When I was Minister of Education, he would have challenged me and asked ‘What did you bring to Rivers State?’ I was Minister of Education, I brought the Faculty of Law to the University of Port Harcourt. I gave grants to Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic; I gave grants to Ignatius Ajuru University. I made sure to renovate the Federal Government Collage Port Harcourt and the Federal Government Girls College, Abuloma. That was what I thought,” Wike stated.
He said though as the FCT Minister now, he cannot bring road projects or FCT money to Rivers State, “I can help Rivers people. And I have been helping Rivers people.”
He also boasted that “by the instrumentality of Mr President, there is no governor in this state that has attracted political appointments to this state than myself. Go and count it.”
“By the instrumentality of Mr President; by his grace, by his love for us, he said, ‘Go and give me these names for political appointments’. So, Mr Omehia, are you not aware that Rivers people have more political appointments than even when you are serving somebody? Are you not aware?”
Wike described the chief host of the thanksgiving, Chibudum Nwuche, as a worthy and steadfast politician loved by his people.
“What you (Nwuche) have shown today is what is called steadfastness. It is very difficult for you to see people who are steadfast. It is very difficult,” he said.
He also thanked the Chairman of the Rivers State All Progressives Congrats and his team for coming to rejoice with Nwuche, who is former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Wike commended the Rivers APC Chairman for resolving not to play politics of bitterness but rather embracing inclusivity.
