Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, has declared that the immediate-past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has no intentions of controlling his successor, Siminalaye Fubara.
He also stated that Fubara’s decision to retain four commissioners who served during the Wike-led administration aligns with the principles of consolidation.
Nwuke made these remarks in an interview with LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt yesterday, criticizing those who insinuate that the ex-governor would govern as a ‘Premier’ from his private residence while the incumbent governs from Government House, Port Harcourt.
The former federal lawmaker emphasized that throughout the state’s history, no governor had governed under the influence of their predecessor. He dismissed such claims as the work of mischief-makers who wrongly assume that because they would act in that manner, others would too.
Nwuke pointed out that Governor Wike had even run for the Presidency of the country on the platform of the PDP, but without success. Furthermore, there were expectations that he would return to Rivers State and contest for a senatorial ticket, but he did not. As a result, an Etche man currently holds the senatorial position.
Nwuke highlighted the fact that individuals have diverse ways of thinking and acting, citing previous governors as examples. Peter Odili, who ran with Ada-George during the NRC days, became governor under the PDP and there is no evidence to suggest that he took instructions from Ada-George. Similarly, Rotimi Amaechi, who was considered Odili’s political protégé, acted independently during his tenure as governor.
Nwuke concluded by stating that Wike had governed Rivers State in his own right, so the notion of a premier in Rumueprikom and a governor in Government House is baseless. He criticized those who propagate such views, emphasizing their lack of understanding regarding the nature of power.
