I'm Fighting Amaechi Because Of Jonathan; Wike Declares

For the second time in eight days, Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike on Sunday blew hot over the Rivers State crisis, declaring that he won’t fold his arms and watch Governor Rotimi Amaechi rubbish his new boss, President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The message is clear. This is a mass movement, because we want a change in Rivers State. I was a politician before I became a minister and I am still a politician. I cannot fold my arms and stay in Abuja and be doing ministerial work and somebody (Amaechi) is giving my boss conditions. I will not accept that.”

He said Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), could no longer sleep as he (Wike) promised him, boasting that he is already making Amaechi restless.

Wike spoke at the Community Secondary School, Unyeada in Andoni LGA of Rivers State. It was at the inauguration of the Local council and Wards (11) Executive Committees of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), of which he is the grand patron.

But last night, Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, dismissed Wike’s outburst; saying “I do not feel it is statemanly for Wike to state that Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Governor of Rivers State and the Chairman of the NGF, cannot sleep again.”

She added: “It shows people’s attitude to peace and security in Rivers state. It will be an unfortunate wish by anybody, for a state they call theirs, to give anybody sleepless night.”

Fully-armed soldiers and policemen provided security for Wike, who moved into and out of the ancient town in helicopter.

The chopper, with registration number 5N-BHG, landed near the venue at 3:10 pm. It immediately departed, returning at 5:4 pm to pick up the minister after the event.