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Disowns scathing remarks about APC Leader
BY EDE ONYEKACHUKWU – Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has denied making damaging remarks against former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and his much-touted Presidential ambition come 2023.
Contrary to widespread media reports linking him to negative comments about the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Governor Wike said his enormous respect for Asiwaju Tinubu will not allow him to malign the elder statesman’s hard earned reputation.
A statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, quoted the Governor as describing such report “as preposterous, fabricated, malicious and intended to inflame relationship between Governor Wike and Asiwaju Tinubu, whom the Rivers Chief Executive holds in high esteem”.
Specifically, the statement said: “The attention of the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has been drawn to false assertions attributed to him in an article written in The Guardian by Emmanuel Ande on February 5, 2021, titled: ‘Tinubu cannot see presidency gate in 2023, says Wike’
“We wish to affirm that it is true that Governor Wike was in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State on February 4, to inspect some projects being executed by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. And while inspecting the Greater Interchange and Underpass in Yola, some journalists requested for an interview which he graciously obliged them.
“The questions asked ranged from the purpose of his visit; the prospects of the Peoples Democratic Party winning the 2023 general election and Nigeria’s rating in the global corruption index recently published by Transparency International.”
According to the statement; “At no time during the interview session that lasted about five minutes did Governor Wike mention the names of Tinubu and the APC’s former national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, or even alluded to them.
“We wish to state without equivocation, that irrespective of political affiliation, Governor Wike has enormous respect for Asiwaju Tinubu and will never say or do anything to malign the hard earned reputation of the elder statesman.
“The report by Mr Ande is mischievous and aimed to discredit The Guardian. It is our belief that the reporter is probably acting as hireling of some treacherous political actors, who often capitalise on the susceptibility of some journalists to manipulate them to publish misleading or factually incorrect information for political purposes.”
Noting the said news item has clearly stained the Guardian’s reputation, Governor Wike said; “We dare the reporter to provide any evidence to prove the veracity of his fabricated report.”
