After severally threatening fire and brimstone against opponents, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has turned around to plead for decency in the quest for political power in Rivers state.
Wike had, in several public outings, threatened to deal decisively with anyone who opposed his decision to work against the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
He had also threatened supporters of Atiku in the state if they breached his orders and go ahead to campaign for him in the state.
However, speaking on Saturday, Wike, who said he has never been involved in violence since his political journey, said there was a need for politicians in the state to be decent.
Wike spoke when he inaugurated the Okrika Founder’s Park on Saturday in Koniju Ama in Okrika Local Government Area.
He said it was unfortunate that Senator Lee Maeba would accuse him of violence after his (Maeba) home was recently attacked with four cars damaged. Governor Wike wondered why Senator Maeba would allege that political thugs were sent by him(Wike) to invade his house.
“Two days ago, I was watching television. It’s unfortunate; I saw Lee Maeba, Austin Opara, and Abiye Sekibo saying that my humble self sent people to Lee Maeba’s house to attack him, to kill him; I couldn’t believe it.
“But you saw the Commissioner of Police’s report. He said, listen, houses surround your house; you have two gates to your house, and not one gate was damaged, not one. The cars you said were damaged are rickety cars. No brand-new cars were touched. Have you ever seen such?
Governor Wike said he thought that by now, people should have a limit to how far they can play politics. He stated that by the allegations made by Senator Lee Maeba, the man was pushing issues too far, but instead of playing politics of violence, he would rather resort to legal means.
Governor Wike spoke of Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka as an Okrikan who meant well for his people. He had invested personal resources to provide the Founder’s Park.
He noted that with such a gesture, Chief Amiesimaka had distinguished himself from those who are self-seeking and used their political positions to enrich themselves instead of ensuring the construction of the ring road in Okrika.
Governor Wike spoke of the prevailing peace in Okrika, which he attributed to the contribution of King Ateke Tom, Amayanabo of Okochiri Ama, in support of his administration.
The Rivers State governor also commended Chief Amiesimaka for being a forthright man who rejected all entreaties made to him to join in implicating him.
The governor used the occasion to recognise King Nelson Atubo Oputibeya as the Amanyanabo of Koniju.
In his speech, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka said he sought a legacy to bequeath to the Koniju people and decided to embark on the project that took 15 months to deliver.
According to him, the Founder’s Park consists of the Amakoromabo Owu-Okolo, the entrance, pavilion, sports arena, the Amayanabo sitting area for outdoor meetings, modern toilets and showers, and solar-wired lighting facilities.
