Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said that Uche Secondus is not a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and, therefore, cannot speak either for or interfer in the affairs of the party.
Secondus, the former national chairman of PDP, while alluding to Governor Wike, is reported in the media to have said that no one person has powers to impose a presidential candidate on Rivers voters.
Governor Wike said Secondus was a meddlesome interloper because he had been expelled as a member of PDP by his ward in Andoni, an action that was affirmed by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The governor spoke at the inauguration of the Aluu-Omagwa Link Road that was held at Omuagubia playground by Cross Junction, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area on Saturday.
“I read the newspaper this morning where a former member of our party, one Uche Secondus said that no one man can impose a presidential candidate on Rivers people.
“He is not a member of our party. His ward expelled him from the party. The court confirmed it. He went to the Court of Appeal, he lost. He went to Supreme Court, the matter is coming up on October 23, 2023.”
Governor Wike continued, “I told him, you will not be national chairman to conduct the convention. Did he conduct it? Was he at the national convention? Up until now, you are not a member of our party.
“And in any case, I never said I was going to impose my candidate on Rivers people. I said I was going to tell Rivers people who I am going to support. Who I am going to campaign for.
“But, don’t blame them, when you didn’t finish secondary school, you will not understand the grammar.”
Governor Wike emphasised that, in any case, Rivers people would listen to him more than Secondus because they can trust him as a leader who will continue to defend the interest of the state.
“So, Mr Secondus, I have no problem with you being a technical adviser to Atiku. But, don’t speak on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State, because you are not a member of our party.”
Governor Wike asserted that it was not surprising that Secondus, beclouded by his half education, preferred a poorly educated candidate, Senator Lee Maeba, to have emerged as Senator over Senator Magnus Abe, a more educated Rivers son.
The governor recalled how Secondus and his cohorts, now christened Abuja Rivers politicians, had always tried to circumvent his political intentions but failed.
The governor said he has no apology for unsettling the so-called Abuja politicians when the party structure was taken over by him in 2013 while beating them into joining with him because there was no other choice left for them.
“What most of you didn’t know is that all these people who run away to Abuja, they’ve never worked with us. I led the team that kicked them out of office in 2007. Yes, I have no apology for that.
“In 2014, in spite of the fact I was the one who fought for the structure of the party, most of them sabotaged me at the back to run for governor against me. When they saw there was no hope, there was nothing else for them to do, they had no choice but to come and join us.”
Governor Wike observed that in their usual manner, they regrouped against him and clandestinely supported one of them to become the governorship flag bearer of PDP in the state for the 2023 general election, but were frustrated.
The Rivers governor listed that he embarked on a legal battle to reclaim Rivers State ceded oil wells to Imo and Bayelsa States and today proceeds from them are received by Rivers State.
Governor Wike also mentioned the ongoing legal battle over the illegality of VAT collection by the federal government when it should be collected by the state.
According to him, the legal battle over the deduction of Rivers State fund for the Police Trust Fund was won in favour of the state including the foiling of the attempt made to illegally abduct Mrs Joi Nunieh, who though, is not one of his political supporters, but was protected because she is a Rivers daughter.
Governor Wike said one of the reasons Rivers people can not trust Secondus is because of the ugly role he played in 2019.
He said It was about election time when Atiku Abubakar and Bukola Saraki visited him to ask what he was expecting for Rivers State and the demand was clear, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Petroleum.
Governor Wike stated that what Secondus did was to go behind to demand an oil block for himself and not for the state.
Wike also recalled how Secondus had always frustrated the completion of projects that were under his purview including the Andoni axis of the Ogoni-Opobo-Andoni Unity Road.
“Ask him what happened when the military took over, when the NRC was in power, Ada George was the governor of the state. Ask him, what happened at Ohamini Road. Why was he told to frog jump?
“Who flogged him? Colonel Akubundu (rtd) who of course was the organising secretary, flogged him, why? He couldn’t do the project of the Ohamini Road.”
Governor Wike further alleged, “Ask him, from 1999, when Odili became governor, every project Dr Odili gave to Andoni through him, ask him, which one was commissioned?
“Every company that the state government would pay money to instead of you to allow the company to do the job, you’ll collect the money. That is why it’s difficult and why we have not been able to commission the Andoni aspect of the road.”
Providing the description of the project, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr George-Kelly Dakorinima Alabo said the Aluu-Omagwa Link Road is 9.8km long and 9.5 meters wide.
He explained that the road will serve as an alternative route for motorists going to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Imo State and other neighbouring communities.
