Rivers APC demands apology from Wike over Soku oil wells

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked Governor Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike to publicly apologise to the people of the state and his immediate predecessor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi,

over the ceding of Soku Oil Wells belonging to the state to neighbouring Bayelsa State by the administration of former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

The demand for apology, the APC said followed Governor Wike’s acceptance that the disputed Soku Oil Wells which he and Dr. Jonathan allegedly connived to cede to Bayelsa belonged to Rivers.

In a press statement issued by the state APC on Wednesday, the party stated that 19th September, 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, Governor Wike has vindicated our claim that he collaborated with Dr Jonathan to fight Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to a standstill and dislodged APC that clearly won the 2015 general elections, from the Brick House, Port Harcourt.

One of the ways in which they achieved this infamous feat was to cede our oil wells in a bid to economically emasculate Rivers State and starve Amaechi of funds.”

The statement signed by the state chairman of the Rivers APC, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said “It may interest all that on this fateful day of 19th September, 2017, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State while addressing the Surveyor-General of the Federation,

Mr. Ebisintei Awudu stated, ‘I call on the Surveyor-General of the Federation to help in resolving the dispute between Rivers State and Bayelsa State. We believe that the oil wells belong to us. We are brothers and there is no need for this conflict to linger.

Imagine if it was between two states with no relationship, it would have been worse.’ The governor pointed to the deadly boundary conflict between Kogi and Anambra over oil found in the area to affirm his latest stand.

“Wike’s latest stand on this controversial issue is a reflection of a misguided leader who likes to play politics with every issue so far it will benefit him not minding if such a stand is against the progress of Rivers State and her people.

“It is on record that Governor Nyesom Wike used this particular issue about three years ago to dehumanise and abuse his predecessor and benefactor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and

called him several uncouth names for pleading and stating that it was wicked of Dr Goodluck Jonathan then President of Nigeria to cede oil wells to Abia and Bayelsa states just to prove his disdain

and 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,” he said.

The party alleged that because of Amaechi’s stand, Wike as the then Supervising Minister of Education threatened him with everything within him including brimstone and arrest immediately after Dr. Goodluck Jonathan will be declared as president for a second term in 2015.

“According to him, ‘Once the Independent National Electoral Commission announces the victory of President Jonathan, we will immediately shut down the Port Harcourt International Airport and all land and sea borders in Rivers State to prevent Governor Amaechi from escaping’.

But God proved him wrong and will further prove him wrong when he continue to confess all that he has committed against a man who saw him through to what he is by today,” the party emphasised.