Rivers State Governor, Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, has said that APC did all sorts of things to stop him from becoming governor but they did not succeed.
The Governor made the remarks during the Thanksgiving ceremony in honor of the Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial district in the National Assembly, Magnus Abe.
Governor Wike said that despite everything, that it is clear that only God gives power and warned the Senator to work for the interest of the Rivers people.
He said that the Senator is a member of their family from the other family stressing that the period for quarrel is over and that elected officials in the state should face governance.
The governor also asked the senate president to put the Portharcourt Aba road in the National budget saying that the road is too bad.
The event which held at the Portharcourt Polo club, attracted many dignitaries including the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Nigeria’s first Lady Aisha Buhari, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Senator Sam Egwu, former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobri, and many others.
He said : “The Senator is a member of our family and from the other family. Let me tell you and it is very important, I was supposed to be in church but couldn’t make it because I had other pressing engagements . It is important to note that it is only God that can give power.
” When I wanted to be Governor, you people did a lot to stop me. When Magnus wanted to be Senator, I showed him pepper but he succeeded.
” What I will advise is the state first. This is the period for governance. When it is time to wrestle, we will do traditional wrestling.
” Rivers State is safe. Rivers State is peaceful. Magnus, when you get back to Abuja, tell them that Rivers state is peaceful. Senate president, please put it in the budget that Aba road is not good”
Ita enang who represented the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, appreciated Senator Abe’s contributions to the Ogoni cleanup.
He said : “We are pleased at the turn of the people here. It shows that you truly represent the people.
” The federal government will ensure that the ogoni clean up is completed. We appreciate his contributions to the United nations report on the ogoni clean up”
The Rivers State Chairman of the APC, Davies Ikeanya’s, in his remarks, said that their is no division in the party. He maintained that the party is one and will be open to the aspirations of every member.
He said that the party has worked hard to recover some of its mandates from the PDP.
He equally gave the PDP strick warning saying that it should get ready to lose more positions to the APC.
The senate president, Bukola Saraki contradicted the State Chairman of the APC, Davies Ikeanya’s claims that there is no division in the party.
Saraki wondered why there will be two APC events in the state on the same day of the Thanksgiving, as the Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi’s faction of the party was in Bori, Khana Local Government Area for the Free Rivers Initiative campaign.
The Senate president charged the state Chairman on the need to work hard in order to reunite all stakeholders of the party in the state to make sure that the party remains relevant in the state.
The Minister of state for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobri, who eulogized Senator Abe for his doggedness said that it is only a man like Abe that will swim in such political waters and come out strong.
Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylvia also praised Senator Abe saying that he is destined to go places.
Senator Abe in his remarks said that a time like this calls for forgiveness and reconciliation. He said that he had been through a lot in the past and thanked God and friends for their support and prayers saying that it is his will to do more for the state.
