Amaechi, Wike, Magnus Abe, all Rivers gladiators honoured same day

By Okafor Ofiebor/ Port Harcourt

In a striking coincidence, former Governor Chibuike Amaechi and Minister of Transportation, Governor Nyesom Wike and former Senator Magnus Abe of Rivers were honoured on Saturday 5 February.

Mere Coincidence or politically tinged?

As expected, Rivers State political observers are of the opinion that the state’s three prominent sons deliberately fixed their bestowments same day to score some political advantage ahead of 2023.

Amaechi was turbaned Dan Amanar Daura,(The Trusted One) by the Emir Daura, Umar Farouq, in Daura Emirate Council in Kastina State,

Wike was honoured with the title Se-Ibidokubo of Kalabari kingdom at Abalama in Asari-Toru local government area of the state. It means “He who does good things for Kalabari people”.

Senator Magnus Abe did not bag a title, but he was endorsed by Chiefs and Elders of Bera Community in his local government area of Gokana for Governorship position ahead of 2023 .

Although no Rivers monarch, attended Amaechi’s turbaning, a delegation of traditional rulers was led by King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amayanabo of Twon Brass, Bayelsa State.

Observers believe Wike would have dealt with any chief that abandoned his event at Abalama in Asari-Toru local government in Rivers for Amaechi’s event.

Amaechi’s honour in President Buhari’s home town is being seen with political lenses.

To Amaechi’s ardent supporters, the title was a subtle endorsement of Amaechi’s rumoured Presidential ambition, by President Buhari’s community.

The former Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Peterside Dakuku was among the people who gave the honour political colouration.

He described Amaechi, as a “trusted son of Nigeria” whose courage and character transcend religious and regional boundaries.

He noted that Amaechi is a bridge builder between the North and South, Christians and Muslims as well as young and old.

He said Nigeria is yet to get the best of the Minister.

“It is a day to celebrate your accomplishments, courage, character, strength and boldness. You are a bridge that connects the north and the south. Christianity and Islam. In love and, the young and old”.

President Muhammadu Buhari in a congratulatory message, commended the Minister “for working with enormous energy to make the CHANGE we promised Nigerians a reality.”

He declared that “the change we are witnessing in the Transport sector is an extraordinary legacy.”

However, some politicians mocked the political relevance of Amaechi’s Daura title.

The former Caretaker Committee Chairman of APC in Rivers and of Senator Abe faction, Igochukwu Aguma, who was sacked by the Supreme Court and later dumped the party for PDP, derided the honour via posts on his Facebook page.

“If the yesterday’s (Saturday) Daura ceremony is a referendum on a Presidential ambition then I laugh in Ikwerre language.

“When we add Daura votes for Rivers State, then and ONLY the rag tag party in Rivers State, APC go win election here”, Aguma mocked.

Wike’s investiture as a Kalabari chief was also belittled for not being a Pan Kalabari affair.

Sokonte Davies, a Kalabari son and chieftain of APC said: “the so-called Kalabari Civic Reception in honour of the Governor of Rivers State, Governor Nyesom E. Wike is not in any way a Pan Kalabari activity.

“The event strictly was that of PDP, by PDP and for the PDP and those who sympathise with them.

“A cursory look at the signatories and the promoters of the event will further confirm it and expose the lie and deception therein.

“The Organisers are looking for a cheap platform to further their political aspirations which they believe the event will help them actualise.

“How can you claim to honour a man for his love of Kalabari and the development of Kalabari which are totally incorrect?

“Is this a calculated attempt at joining the major mocker of the Kalabaris to further mock us because you want to be in his good books.

“We the Kalabaris are noted for elegance and creativity. We are noted for originality and finesse. We are not known as cheap copycats.

“Please don’t drag us into this type of shame. Everyone is free to honour those he wants to honour.

“Everyone is free to go about how he or she wants to achieve a set goal or aspiration. But such persons are not allowed to use our common heritage in achieving it deceitfully.

“Governor Wike is not a lover of the Kalabaris and he has not developed the Kalabaris in anyway, both as individuals and collectively as a people and he knows it himself too well.

“So, it is a shame for any group of persons to gather to honour him in the name of Pan Kalabari.

“The general public is hereby informed to take note”, Sokonte Davies stated.

However, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, also a prominent Kalabari son and a former Niger Delta militant Leader who an ardent critic of Wike in a video said no one should hold grudges against some Kalabari people who decided to honour Governor Wike.

He said even though he is prominent high chief from the ancient city of Buguma in Kalabari kingdom in Asari-Toru local government area, he does not support the title bestowed on Wike and would not attend the grand reception.

In Governor Wike’s response to speech by the Kalabari people, in his usual vintage self, he told Kalabari people among other things, that he had never promised that a Kalabari man will succeed him.

He told the Kalabari people, specifically, that they have not done well in terms of loving themselves and working in unity.

“If you waiting for me to say that I will give power to Kalabari, you’re wasting your time, because I will not say it. If you want to take back your chieftaincy title you can come and take it.

He said that every one has the chance of becoming the governor of Rivers State, but the person must have the capacity to stand to fight for it.

“When I wanted to be governor, I came out and fought for it, I fought a sitting governor and I said let heaven fall, I will be governor and I am governor today with your support.

Wike asserted further that anybody who will be governor of Rivers State must be prepared to face the army and Police.

“You remember when they brought military to fight us, did I run and leave you? I didn’t, I stood my ground.I stood firm and with your support we defeated them.

“So, anybody who wants to be governor must stand firm”.

Amaechi attacked Rivers politicians serving in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for their gross inability to attract federal government projects to the State.

The governor said the Trans Kalabari road phase one project will be completed in two months, because workmen were kidnapped on site.

He disclosed that if the finances of the state improves, his administration may award the phase two of the Trans Kalabari road before he leaves office next year.