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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Apologists of the former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Magnus Abe, have been at loggerheads over who should be appointed a minister from the state.
While Wike’s loyalist, Tony Okocha, had claimed that Wike delivered the state for President Bola Tinubu in the February poll, Abe’s Kadilo Kabari, said the senator was the first to declare his support for Tinubu and worked for him.
Kabari also said that it was unwise for Okocha to de-market other potential candidates because of Wik’s interest.
Kabari, who served as the Director Election Planning and Management, Rivers State Chapter of the Tinubu/ Shettima Independent Campaign Council (ICC), condemned what he called an ‘entitlement mentality’ proposed by Okocha in justifying his claim for Wike to be made a minister
According to him, people from the Ikwerre stock of River State have been in the corridors of power for years when the state is dominated by different ethnic groups that have been marginalised for years.
He stressed that he was not against anybody President Tinubu would appoint, but cautioned Okocha to desist from calling people names because of what he stands to achieve.
He said: “Worried by the export of falsehood, ethnocentric bias and bigotry, hypocrisy and greed that has characterized the politics and polity in Rivers state now being brought to the centre by one Tony Okocha a serial betrayer, conflict entrepreneur and shameless apologist of the Former Governor of Rivers state, Chief Nyesom Wike, all in pursuit of a ministerial slot for his paymaster. I am obliged to set the records straight via this media chat as follows
“Give an insight into multi-sectoral and multi-partisan support Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had in Rivers State.
“Condemn the entitlement mentality being canvassed by Tony Okocha in justifying his claim for Wike’s ministerial appointment.
“Expose the hypocritical and pretentious nature of the said support of a structure that nurtured presidential and even vice presidential ambitions, found the Tinubu Presidency as a safe haven after losing out in all political equations, contributed nuisance value and surreptitiously seeking offices as cover and a war chest for the next elections.
“X-ray the politically marginalized state of other ethnicities in Rivers state in view of and current occupation of political positions that negates the principles of fairness, equity, justice and turn by turn.
“Condemn the campaign of calumny against Distinguished Senator Magnus Abe and other political actors while cautioning that pursuits should be personalized with honesty, capacity, merit, truth and fairness as yardsticks,” he said.
He reaffirmed support for President Tinubu and believe in his age-long talent in selective prowess of the best hands in his cabinet which will no doubt prop up great leaders from Rivers state like distinguished Senator Magnus Abe and many others.
