Demolition: Don’t Throw Bayelsa, Rivers Into Cold War –APC Chieftain Tells Wike

Former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Yekeen Nabena, has cautioned Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, against demolishing Bayelsa State government property in Port Harcourt.

Nabena was reacting to the order issued by Wike for the demolition of two buildings belonging to Bayelsa, a neighbouring state, following the refusal of Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, to heed his call for renovations of the buildings located in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

This, he said, could instigate bad blood among the Ijaw Nation, noting that fighting a whole state and Ijaw Nation because of their individuals political ego is not tenable.

Stating that both states have a history of warm relationship, Nabena attributed Wike’s stance to existing political differences between him and his Bayelsa colleague.

He said, “As a Bayelsa son, I felt slighted and offended that Governor Wike is trying to rewrite history by redefining a long time relationship between Rivers state and Bayelsa state.

“The whole world is in the know the political rivalry between Governor Wike and Governor Diri of Bayelsa state within their People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Such is not new in politics but fighting a whole state and Ijaw Nation because of their individuals political ego is way beyond comprehension.

“In 2019, when the going was good between the two governors, Wike even spearheaded the Supreme Court case against the APC. At this time Wike did not thought of demolishing Bayelsa state properties but because Governor Diri did not support Wike’s failed presidential ambition during PDP’s primary election, he has suddenly woke up remember that Bayelsa state properties are defacing an area in Port Harcourt. This is unacceptable.

“I will, therefore, call on Governor Wike to limit his dictatorship and political drunkenness to Rivers state. The Ijaw Nation will not tolerate disrespect, Bayelsa people will not bow to Wike’s god and as a state Wike cannot force his political interest over us, Bayelsa is not Rivers.”