On Thursday, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, criticized former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Uche Secondus for labeling him an enemy of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Speaking at the PDP’s End of Year Thanksgiving in Ahoada East and Ahoada West, Wike stated that Secondus was actually Fubara’s true enemy. Wike explained that as PDP Chairman, Secondus had opposed Fubara’s candidacy for governor in 2023, preferring his cousin, Tele Ikuru, for the position.
Wike, who had supported Fubara’s gubernatorial bid, revealed that this disagreement was the reason he worked to have Secondus removed as PDP National Chairman. Wike, who has since fallen out with Fubara, also criticized Secondus and former Rivers State Governor Celestine Omehia for backing Fubara in the ongoing political conflict.
Last week, during a visit to Rivers State for the inauguration of a road project, Secondus, as Fubara’s guest, offered words of encouragement, telling the governor, “Be strong and be courageous, because you will overcome your enemies. Those who are shouting in Abuja, how were they made? It is God, 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 tackled 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.
The minister said he was proud that his wife hailed from the Ekpeye kingdom.
“Today your daughter is a Justice of the Court of Appeal,” he remarked.
Earlier in his welcome address, the chief host, Nwuche, thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Wike as the FCT Minister.
Nwuche stated, “Today is thanksgiving for the PDP in Ahoada East and Ahoada West, products of the tribes of Ekpeye and Engine. We chose today to give gratitude to God. Like the preacher said, as it is in the Bible, those who give gratitude can ask for more from God. Those that don’t, will have their journeys cut short.”
He said though the PDP loyalists toiled to be in government, they had been pushed aside.
He urged them not to despair, saying “Time is ticking and very soon we shall reclaim our state.”
Addressing Wike, he said, “Your Excellency I want to commend the President for appointing somebody of your capacity as the Minister of the FCT.”
According to Nwuche, Wike has shown Nigerians that what he did in Rivers State was not a fluke.
