The Demystification of a Regional Political Warlord

by Oby Christie Ndukwe

The 2019 Governorship election in Rivers State was a peculiar one. APC lost its place on the ballot due to internal crisis fuelled by external interlopers. Within 2 days, it adopted another party, AAC with a relatively unknown Biokpomabo Awara as the Governorship Candidate pitching him against a more formidable Nyesom Wike of PDP.

While other neighboring South-South and South Eastern States had their results declared within two days of the election, that of Rivers stretched for 21 days! Constitutionally, after 21 days, no winner ought to be declared but there was a historical twist. INEC relocated to Port Harcourt and declared a winner in the person of Nyesom Wike.

It is instructive that those Governors Wike is today acting as their “Big Brother” or Class Prefect in response to Senator Akpabio’s clapback against the South South Governors who made what is considered as unacceptable demands from President Buhari, all got elected for a second tenure before Wike, aside Edo and Bayelsa that came later on.

Those who constantly mystify Wike have failed to explain how he was held ‘hostage’ in an election where he ought to have won straight without batting an eyelid or sweating profusely with a strong rival as APC missing on the ballot.

It is rather incongruous to ascribe such infallible powers to someone who merely escaped by the whiskers.

Awara’s moment of glory, though prematurely aborted by supposed APC Lords who compromised against their party, all in a futile bid to truncate Amaechi’s chances of aspiring for the top job in 2023 was masterminded by the resilience of the APC supporters, not minding the secret saboteurs and traitors.

In all, Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is neither invincible nor mysterious. It was luck and not grace that put him forward!

Time to stop the posturing of a Regional Lord!