Tinubu Shuns Wike, Amaechi Absent, Governor Under Attack For Shutting Down Rivers State

By Charles Igbo

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has come under attack over his declaration of Public Holidays in the State because of the visit of Presidential-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to the State.

Wike had, in a broadcast on Tuesday, 2nd May, informed the people of the State that Tinubu would visit the State on Wednesday, 3rd May to commission two projects- the 12th flyover and a Magistrate Court.

In order to give Tinubu a rousing welcome, Wike had, surprisingly, shut down the State by not only declaring a public holiday, but shut down business premises and shops until 3pm on Wednesday.

Both former Senator Shehu Sani and Dr Soni Amadi,  criticized Wike for shutting down social and economic activities in the State over Tinubu’s visit.

However, if Wike went all that stretch to please the President-elect in order to curry favours from him, he failed in his first attempt. Tinubu denied Wike of his first request and told him that he owed him nothing.

While welcoming Tinubu, Wike had told the President-elect that the flyover he was commissioning is on a Federal road, and therefore, the responsibility of the FG. He, in advance, before Tinubu’s inauguration as President, requested a refund from the incoming Tinubu Government.

Wike: “These projects ought to be Federal Government projects because they are Federal roads. Since we have said we don’t want our people to suffer, I also believe that the Federal Government should  say, look, you have done well for us. These are projects we should be doing. Can you bring your bill let us refund you the money with which you have done these roads?

“I am not asking for what we are not entitled to. The Federal Government should say you are a true son of this Government, you have removed shame from us.

But the President-elect was not moved. He told Wike: “The 12th flyover and the demand you made for refund, I owe you nothing. It is your road.

“You can’t chuckle at me and make a demand. You are the one living on this road. I commend your effort. You have to lobby me to collect it.”

Tinubu had earlier acknowledged that Wike was responsible for his Presidential victory, an acknowledgement that did not go well with members of the Labour Party who insist that their Candidate, Peter Obi, clearly won the election in Rivers State.

Conspicuously absent at Wike’s reception of Tinubu were the immediate past Minister for Transportation, a chieftain of Tinubu’s party, APC, Chibuike Amaechi, and many top APC chieftains in the State. Absent, too, were many chieftains of Wike’s Party, the PDP, who Wike has rendered politically irrelevant in the State.

Present, however, were a number of APC Governors. Seyi Makinde, PDP Oyo State Governor was also present.

It is strongly being speculated that Wike could get a Ministerial appointment in Tinubu’s Government.