Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has tackled former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, for supporting the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Wike, who is against the emergence of the PDP’s presidential flagbearer and the choice of his vice, Ifeanyi Okowa, accused Sekibo of being a self-seeking politician, who was unable to attract democratic dividends to the state and also to his hometown, Okrika while he served as a minister.
The governor made these claims during the inauguration of 319 wards and 32 constituency liaison officers in Government House, Port Harcourt, on Monday.
In his words, “I watched a video, where one Dr. Abiye Sekibo, while he was addressing people in his house, yesterday (Sunday), said he is the director of Atiku’s Supporters in Rivers. I have no problem with that. But he does not have the capacity to speak on behalf of Rivers State.
“In that video, he said River State has been having a close relationship with Atiku and that Rivers State has always benefitted from Atiku. I want to correct one impression; Dr Abiye Sekibo has a personal relationship with Atiku, not Rivers State.
“Sekibo was Minister of Transport when Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was the Vice President of Nigeria. Can you people mention one project in Okrika, I don’t even want to talk about Rivers State, that he brought down? Is there anyone?”
Wike added that leadership is not about personal aggrandisement, but serving the people, and protecting their interests while building up others as competent successors.
The governor stressed that Sekibo as Secretary to the Rivers State government did not also execute any project of note in Okrika; while he, as Chief of Staff, delivered several road projects in Rumuepirikom.
