By Hudu Yakubu Abuja
The Chairman of the Rivers Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, has commended the decision of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to support the candidacy of President Bola Tinubu in 2023, stating that that decision has kept the state afloat.
Alabraba made the remarks in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru local government area of Rivers State on Tuesday, during the minister’s thank you visit.
The elder statesman hailed Wike as an icon in Nigeria’s contemporary politics, noting his pragmatic style of politics and astute leadership.
According to him, the minister took two critical decisions in 2023, including the decision to handover Governorship to the Ijaw people, a position he said had eluded the community for 24 years.
Alabraba, in a veiled reference, further described the failure of Governor Sim Fubara to show appreciation for Wike’s support as an “abberation,” stating that the Ijaw were not ungrateful people.
“When you wanted to conclude your tenure, your thoughts were also for Rivers State. You took two critical decisions. First, you sacrificed everything, fought many battles, and enthroned a successor from the Ijaw ethnic nationality, a crown that has eluded the Ijaw people for 24 years.
“You, an Ikwerre man did it for us. What we are seeing in Rivers State today is an abberation. Abberation in the sense that the Ijaw, as rightly said by others, are not ungrateful people.
“The second decision you took, which is also impacting on Rivers State today… you positioned Rivers State to support the candidacy of Bola Tinubu, while your party retained all the other seats. That singular decision is what has kept Rivers State afloat today,” he said.
Alabraba also assured the Minister of the support of the people, stating that they “know where to go” in 2027.
“Let me assure you, Rivers people know where to go. And with Wike, 2027, under the Renewed Hope, is the way to go,” the Chairman said.
In his address, the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike thanked the people for their support in 2023, despite the uncertainty surrounding President Tinubu’s candidacy.
Touching on Rivers State, the minister said he would correct the mistake he had made in 2023, while declaring support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
“Here, we have shut the door, no other person other than Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he stated.