By Charles Igbo
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has endorsed Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, for a second term in office as Governor.
He will, also, on Saturday, 27th May, 2023, honour Uzodinma with the highest award instituted by Rivers State, patterned after the Federal Government National Honours Roll.
Wike will bestow on Uzodinma the Grand Service Star of Rivers State, GSSRS, an award thought to have been reserved for only serving and former Rivers State Governors but which Wike, has, in the past few months, extended to, at least, one other State Governor outside Rivers State – Ebonyi State’s Dave Umahi -and another former State Governor, Edo State’s Adams Oshiomhole, who was also a National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Both Umahi and Adams were Wike’s political enemies, and so was Uzodinma.
Wike fought to sack Umahi as Governor for dumping PDP for APC. He also fought Oshiomhole, bitterly, in Edo State in the election that saw to the shaming of the former Edo State Governor and his candidate, and the re-election, into office, of the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki.
In the case of Uzodinma, Wike fully backed former Governor Emeka Ihedioha against Uzodinma, during, and after the 2019 Governorship elections, and had said a couple of uncomplimentary things against the Imo Governor before now.
But things have since changed. Wike has embraced all his former political enemies in the APC, and fallen out with a number of his former political friends in the PDP.
And, even though Wike remains in the PDP, he is, publicly, pro-APC.
In his personally signed letter to Governor Uzodinma, where he informed him of the award, Wike said he was honouring Uzodinma for his “commitment to national unity and equity.”
Wike, also, noted that considering Uzodinma’s achievements in his first tenure in office, his re-election into office in the 11th November, 2023 Governorship election is given.
Wike’s endorsement of Uzodinma is a huge blow to the Imo State PDP Governorship Candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu ( SamDaddy), who was regarded as “Wike’s boy”, and who became the National Secretary of the PDP, thanks to Wike. What it means is that Wike has dumped SamDaddy and would work for Uzodinma’s re-election.
Governor Wike’s letter to Governor Uzodinma reads:
“I am pleased to notify you of my approval for conferring the highest Rivers State Honours on you as the Grand Service Star of Rivers State (GSSRS).
“This award recognizes your outstanding commitment and contributions to advancing national unity, equity and justice and your valuable support for Government and people of Rivers.”
It would be recalled that few weeks ago, Governor Wike had declared on a national television that Governor Uzodinma has the capacity “to crush any governorship candidate in Imo State.”
Wike further expressed confidence that with the achievements of Governor Uzodinma in his first tenure, it was almost certain that his reelection is given.
An appreciative Governor Uzodinma said he will not take the honour bestowed on him by the Rivers State Government for granted.
Wike will, along with most State Governors and the President, leave office on May 29, 2023.
