Wike apologizes for not endorsing Fubara’s opponent for PDP ticket

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has apologized to a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Felix Obuah, for asking him to step down for the current governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, in the run-up to the 2023 governorship race in the state.

Wike, who has been at daggers drawn with his successor since last year, spoke on Sunday at an event organised by Obuah in Omoku, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of the state.

Recall that Wike had prevailed on Obuah and other aspirants on the platform of the PDP to step down for Fubara in the run-up to the election but shortly after the new administration took off, the relationship between him and his successor went sour until the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

But while recalling how Obuah, better known as Go-Round, had supported him to become governor while he (Obuah) was party chairman, Wike said he regretted not reciprocating the gesture.

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“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,” Wike said.

He added: “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 judgment 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.

Speaking earlier, the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said it would be wrong to reduce Wike to a leader in Rivers State, saying that he is a leader in the South-South who has built contacts and friendships across Nigeria.