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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has apologised to a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Felix Obuah, for asking him to step down for the current governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, in the build up to the 2023 governorship election in the state.
Wike, who has been at loggerheads with his successor since late 2023, spoke at an event organised by Obuah in Omoku, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state, on Sunday.
Recall that Wike had prevailed on Obuah and other aspirants on the PDP platform to step down for Fubara in the build up to the election. But shortly after the new administration took off, the relationship between the minister and his successor went sour until the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
While recalling how Obuah, better known as Go-Round, had supported him to become governor when he was PDP chairman, Wike said he regretted not reciprocating the gesture.
“Leadership is all about firmness, it’s all about courage, it’s all about transparency. When a leader makes a wrong decision, nothing stops that leader from coming back to say, I am sorry for that decision I took.
“In 2023, if you look at those which ordinarily I should support for governorship, Go-Round should be one of them in the forefront.
“That is if we do things based on your contribution, based on your support, Go-Round is one of the first two persons that ought to get my support. So, I want to use this opportunity to apologise to all of you; to Onelga for taking a decision that hurt you. I am sorry.
“Your judgement may not be right all the time, but I am a human being, I may make mistakes. But it’s important for you to realise your mistake and apologise to the people. So, I beg you to beg Go-Round to forgive me. I hope one day another opportunity may come but let nobody lose faith,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said it would be wrong to reduce Wike to a leader in Rivers State,adding that the minister is a leader in the South South, who has built contacts and friendships across Nigeria.