The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Governor Nyesom Wike to publicly apologise to the people of the state and his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, over the ceding of Soku Oil Wells belonging to Rivers to neighbouring Bayelsa State.
The oil wells in Kalabari axis of Rivers were allegedly ceded to Bayelsa during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to punish the then governor (Amaechi), the Director-General of Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation over his refusal to support the re-election of his Niger Delta kinsman (Jonathan).
Rivers APC, through its Chairman, Chief Davies Ikanya, yesterday in Port Harcourt, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, described as shocking, Wike’s acceptance that the disputed Soku oil wells, which it insisted he (Rivers governor) and Jonathan connived to cede to Bayelsa, belonged to Rivers.
Rivers APC said: “September 19, 2017 will ever remain memorable in the politics of Rivers State. This was the day that one of the hidden truths was brought to the open. By his confession, Wike has vindicated our position that he collaborated with the then President Jonathan to fight Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to a standstill and to dislodge APC that clearly won the 2015 general elections, from the Brick House, Port Harcourt.
“One of the ways in which they achieved the infamous feats was to cede Rivers State oil wells to Jonathan’s Bayelsa State, in a bid to economically emasculate Rivers State and starve Amaechi’s government of funds.
“It is on record that Wike used the oil well issue about three years ago to dehumanise and abuse his benefactor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and called him many uncouth names, for pleading and stating that it was wicked of Dr. Jonathan to cede Rivers State’s oil wells to neighbouring Abia and Bayelsa States, just to prove his hatred for the people of Rivers State, after giving him one of their daughters (Dame Patience Jonathan) for a wife and ensured that he was properly educated at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
“In view of Amaechi’s stand, Wike, as the then Supervising Minister of Education, threatened the then Rivers governor (Amaechi) with everything within him, including brimstone and arrest immediately after Dr. Jonathan would be declared as president for a second term in 2015, but God proved him wrong.
“Wike, while exhibiting poor understanding of the plight of Rivers people, appreciated Dr. Jonathan for the heinous and evil act by giving him an award during the recent celebration of 50th anniversary of the creation of Rivers State.
“If Wike is serious about demanding the receding of the oil wells to Rivers State, let him start by withdrawing the unmerited award given to Dr. Jonathan, after which he should formally apologise to God, Amaechi and the people of Rivers State for criminally emasculating them economically by the evil act against Rivers State and humanity, for us to take him seriously.”
