The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has refuted claims that his rise to power as the Governor of Rivers State was orchestrated by political leaders, including former Governor Peter Odili.
Wike, in a statement, insisted that while he benefited from political support, his ascension was primarily a result of his own efforts and strategic battles within the political landscape.
The FCT minister made these remarks during a civic reception held in Port Harcourt on Friday to honor loyal politicians from Rivers State.
The comments seems to be directed at Odili and other political figures amid a resurfaced feud over the current political tussles in Rivers State.
“I Fought for It” Wike pointedly addressed circulating videos showing former First Lady Patience Jonathan introducing him to Peter Odili and other leaders as a potential successor to then-Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
The videos, now making rounds on social media, have sparked discussions about Wike’s political beginnings and the role of influential figures like Odili and the Jonathans in his rise.
“You didn’t give me [the governorship],” Wike declared. “To be Governor of Rivers State in 2014, I fought for the party structure. I took it from Magnus Abe, yes, I did. So, you can’t say you made me Governor.”
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I don’t want to make comments about certain people, I won’t do that. “You Magnus, all of you, Victor Giadom, I fought you people, took the party structure. “So, nobody can say I brought Wike, I dashed you. Nobody can say that. But it would be unfair to me, to Almighty God, for me to say nobody supported me.
“No you can’t say that. You need people’s support, but not to say you gave me.”
Wike went on to emphasize that while he valued the support of allies, it was wrong to attribute his governorship to any single individual or group. “It would be unfair to Almighty God for me to say nobody supported me,” he said, acknowledging contributions while maintaining his independence in the process.
The fallout between Wike and Odili has been fueled by ongoing political tensions in the state. Wike, who once positioned himself as a loyal ally to Odili, now accuses the former governor of partisanship in the state’s current political crisis.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Wike’s successor, has found himself at the center of the discord, with Odili reportedly showing support for Fubara amid growing tensions. Wike, who claims credit for installing Fubara as governor, has expressed frustration with Odili’s stance, arguing that he should remain neutral and act as a father figure to resolve the crisis.
The Role of the Jonathans in Wike’s governorship in 2015 was widely viewed as a product of strategic alliances, particularly with former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience Jonathan. The Jonathans, who had fallen out with Amaechi, were instrumental in rallying support for Wike, then a Minister of State for Education.
Despite these alliances, Wike’s latest comments suggest he wants to be seen as a self-made politician, underscoring the battles he fought within the state’s political structure to secure his position.
