Wike apologies to Oshiomhole, says PDP reconciliation must be based on fairness

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) G-5 governors will only be disposed to reconciliation based on equity, fairness, and justice.

This is just as Wike apologised to a former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, over some political comments made against him and for supporting the re-election of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, in the 2020 gubernatorial election in the state.

The governor said this at the inauguration of the Rumuepirikom Flyover bridge inaugurated by Oshiomhole in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Wednesday.

Governor Wike said politics is about interest and Rivers people must be sure of what they stand to benefit for any support they will have to give ahead of the 2023 general election.

“I use this opportunity to apologise to you. I came to Edo State to make sure your candidate didn’t win election. I said you won’t win and you didn’t win. That assignment has been done and we now know who is who.

“We are now friends, let bygones be bygones.

“I want to sincerely apologise to you. Each time you learn. People will praise you when you do for them. When you say, they are wrong, they begin to say all sorts of things.

“I’m sure those of them in my party before cannot do anything without Wike but because I said let the right thing be done, let agreement be agreement, I have now become an enemy. These are people who are praising me morning and night.

“When once you have lost integrity, there is nothing you can offer again, and that is the problem we are having in this country where politicians will stand up and make a statement.

“And then, people are watching you to fulfil that statement, the promise you have made and when you don’t, Nigerians will now say that is how politicians behave. I don’t agree to that,” Wike said.

He further called on leaders across strata and divide to promote unity among Nigerians.

According to him, the expected unity should be devoid of ethnicity, religion and party considerations but based on the fact that one is a Nigerian.

Wike, however, urged Julius Berger Nigeria PLC to return to the Rumuepirikom community and make sure all roads are reconstructed in the area.

Responding, Oshiomhole noted that in a democracy, though political parties are needed to win elections, promises made to the people must be kept and projects delivered as proof of governance.

“I think, Rivers people should be proud because, our people often say that prophets are not appreciated at home, Wike has truly transformed this city,” he said.

Oshiomhole, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), commended Wike for using his time in office as governor of Rivers State to make a difference.

“Facts are very stubborn. So, I agree that even your worse critics will admit that Wike has made a difference. You made a difference not only in terms of projects but even your statement this afternoon, I join you in saying, because I had course to say that in Benin, when I was governor of Edo State, ‘how can a country be governed by people who cannot be trusted’.

“When politicians make statements, make promises or even make agreements or even enact laws and the laws are not to be obeyed by themselves but to be obeyed by others and when they default in their promise or standing, they say that is politics for you,” Oshiomhole said.

Also speaking at the event, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. George-Kelly Alabo, said the Rumuepirikom flyover is 820 meters long, has a width of 26.8 meters, two approach rams of 110 meters each, and 600- millimetre walkway on either side and 600 millimetres median.

He stated that the flyover was designed to last and also reduce time spent in traffic, improve the socio-economics dynamics within the benefitting communities, in addition it will enhance value of property in the area.

The Star

Segun Ojo