Anita Ogona
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has reacted to claims by elder statesman, Edwin Clark, that he is using his relationship with President Bola Tinubu to intimidate Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State.
Wike in responding to Clark said that Fubara should stand and face the crisis because, according to him, that’s part of the criteria of being a leader.
Recall that Pa Edwin Clark in an open letter to the PDP national leadership, Clark urged the party to expel Wike over his dispute with Governor Fubara.Clark disclosed that the minister was trying to destroy Rivers State with his issues against the governor.
Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads over control of the political space and resources in Rivers State.
However, addressing a media briefing to mark his one year in office as FCT Minister, Wike said: “I don’t know the party Chief Clark belongs to, but in 2014 when I came out to run, he said no because its the turn of the Ijaws.
“He said nothing will make me to win but to the glory of God I won.
“I wasn’t a bad person when I championed for an Ijaw man to be governor but I have become a bad person because there are issues. There is nothing Clark has not said but I vowed never to respond.
Clark disclosed that the minister was trying to destroy Rivers State with his issues against the governor.
“He spoke about southern President which I supported, he spoke about power rotation to the South; which I believed in. So, what crime have I committed?
“In leadership, everything must not be smooth; I had my own crisis when I was there. Did I blame anybody? I faced the crisis squarely. When I was there you all saw what the Federal Government did to me. Did I accuse any ethnic group? No.
“If you are in a leadership position, you should be able to stand and face the crisis, that’s what politics is all about. Sometimes it will be good and other times it won’t be rosy.”
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