By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Chairman of the Rivers Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, has faulted as an aberration the attitude of Governor Siminalayi Fubara towards the former governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike.
Alabraba registered his displeasure in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru local government area of Rivers State, on Tuesday, during the minister’s thank you visit.
Alabraba pointed to Gov. Fubara’s failure to show appreciation for Wike’s support as an “aberration,” stating that it is not in the character of the Ijaw people to be ungrateful.
“When you wanted to conclude your tenure, your thoughts were as well for Rivers State. You took two critical decisions. First, you sacrificed everything, fought many battles, and enthroned a successor from the Ijaw ethnic nationality—a crown that has eluded the Ijaw people for 24 years.”
“You, an Ikwerre man, did it for us. What we are seeing in Rivers State today is an aberration. Aberration in the sense that the Ijaw, as rightly said by others, are not ungrateful people.”
“The second decision you took, which is also impacting Rivers State today… you positioned Rivers State to support the candidacy of Bola Tinubu, while your party retained all the other seats. That singular decision is what has kept Rivers State afloat today,” he said.
However, Alabraba assured Wike of the support of the people, stating that they “know where to go” in 2027.“Let me assure you, Rivers people know where to go. And with Wike, 2027, under the Renewed Hope, is the way to go,” the chairman said.
Referring to the decision of Barr. Nyesom Wike to file behind the candidacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023, he said that that singular action has kept River State afloat.
The elder statesman hailed Wike as an icon in Nigeria’s contemporary politics, noting his pragmatic style of politics and astute leadership.
Addressing the crowd, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, thanked the people for their support in 2023, despite the uncertainty surrounding President Tinubu’s candidacy.
The minister further touched on Rivers State politics promising to correct the mistake he had made in 2023, while declaring support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
“Here, we have shut the door, no other person besides Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Wike added.
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