Wike: Abuja reminds me of my election defeat

By Taiye Agbaje

Governor Nyesom Wike said that his coming to Abuja reminded him of his defeat during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary held on May 28 at Eagle Square.

He stated this on Friday, during a book launch in Abuja.

The book, titled “Flowing Justice: Selected Leading Judgments of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court,” was authored by retired Justice Abdu Aboki and unveiled by the governor.

“I want to once again congratulate My Lord, Hon Justice Abdu Aboki JSC, for giving me this opportunity to be here and to be the chief launcher.

“But why I said My Lord did not do well is because if he had held this in Lagos or Kano, I would have been happy.

Wike said that when he arrived in Abuja and sighted Eagle Square, he recalled the presidential poll experience.

“When I landed and then passed through the venue (Eagle Square), I said, I think My Lord intentionally wanted me to remember May 28 and 29. Well, but life continues, “he said jokingly.

According to him, this is the first time he has come to Abuja after losing the election.

He said unlike Governor Bello, who had visited Abuja a number of times even after losing the All Progressives (APC) presidential primary, he had remained in his state.

“I am not like Yahaya Bello, who lost and he comes (to Abuja) everyday,” he added.

Meanwhile, he hailed Justice Aboki’s commitment to protection of justice and the rule of law, noting that “Justice Aboki is a consummate jurist who has left his name indelibly in the sands of time and judicial history.”

“While judges are of different social, economic, and political persuasions, Honourable Justice Abdu Aboki prides himself on being among the progressive ranks that stand up to what is right and just, and believes that the law and the constitution, as interpreted and enforced by the court, must both protect and advance the unity and wellbeing of the nation and her citizens.”

But responding, the governor of Kogi said among the governors in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, both Wike and himself are different.

NAN