The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, deliberately skipped Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area—the home council of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara—during his recently concluded “thank-you” tour of the state.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the area told Punch that Wike’s decision was influenced by the ongoing political tension in the state.
Speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, the politician explained that the minister’s choice was a matter of self-preservation.
He said, “My brother, if you are the source of the current political tension in the state, created by Wike himself, would you have gone to Opobo? That would be like putting your hand in crocodile-infested water. No one told him not to come, and no threats were made, but I think he made the decision for himself. Give it to him—he knows what is best for him.”
The source added that Wike’s experience in neighbouring Bonny Local Government Area, which is close to Opobo, likely influenced his decision to avoid the council.
“In Bonny, when the minister visited, the place was almost empty, as we saw on TV. Considering the history of Bonny and Opobo, it was expected. So, naturally, he knew he wouldn’t visit Opobo,” he said.
When asked what could have happened if Wike had gone to Opobo, the politician replied, “Nothing physically, but he would have had to answer to himself. No true son or daughter of Opobo would have attended, so he knows better.”
Wike concluded his tour in his own local government area, Obio/Akpor, with a rally held on Sunday at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola.
The event reportedly drew the largest turnout of the entire tour, with heavy traffic congestion along Aba Road and the Rumuola axis as supporters thronged the venue to welcome the former Rivers State governor.
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