18th December, 2022
Okafor Ofiebor /Port Harcourt
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has racted to alleged attack on the house former Senator Lee Maeba, the Chairman of Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers by suspected political thugs.
Wike who spoke when he inaugurated the Okrika Founder’s Park on Saturday in Koniju Ama in Okrika Local Government Area denied involvement in the attack, according to a statement by Kelvin Ebiri, his special assistant on media.
“It is unfortunate that the likes of Senator Lee Maeba, who is still stuck in politics of violence could be accusing him of violence,” the Governor was quoted to have said while
He also noted that the police had disputed the claim by the Atiku campaign director that his residence was attacked by thugs.
“Two days again, I was watching on TV, it’s unfortunate, I saw Lee Maeba, I saw Austin Opara, I saw 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 report. He said, ‘listen, your house is surrounded by houses, you have two gates to your house, not one gate was damage, not one.
“The cars you said that were damaged are rickety cars no brand-new cars were touched. Have you ever seen such?”
Wike added that he would rather resort to use of legal means, instead of playing politics of violence.
“But you see, I laugh. I said God, well, you know the truth. But people are pushing politics too far. I am sleeping , you are waking me up. When I wake, whatever you see you take.
“Please, advise our people not to play the kind of politics they are playing. Let’s play decent politics. Anybody who knows me know too well, my own is, if I want to fight you, I don’t need to send anybody, I will go to court.”
On the project, Wike commended Adokiye Amiesimaka, who he said is ‘an Okrika man who mean well for his people and has invested personal resources to provide the Founder’s Park’
He noted that with the gesture Amiesimaka has distinguished himself from self seeking individuals who are using their political positions to enrich themselves.
“You don’t even know how to play politics. If Owolo comes now to his community and calls them, my people see where I want us to go, why will you not follow him?
“Because, see what he has used his money to do. Again, see, by doing this, see what it has attracted to your kingdom. This is what we called people who have good heart. Stop listening to people who are liars.”
Wike attributed the prevailing peace in Okrika, to efforts of King Ateke Tom, Amayanabo of Okochiri Ama, who he noted, has been supporting his administration.
“I feel home being here. I want this relationship to continue. Don’t allow an individual to break the relationship. Don’t allow an individual selfish interest to break the relationship.
“Ordinarily, if things are to be done well, Okrika should have one of the finest jetties in the country. But everybody will give account of himself at the last day.
The governor used the occasion to recognise King Nelson Atubo Oputibeya as the Amanyanabo of Koniju
In his speech, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka said he wanted to a legacy hewill bequeath to his people and therefore decided to embark on the project that took 15 months to deliver.
He said 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.