Governor Nyesom Wike has reacted to the dictatorship allegation levelled against him by Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.
Umahi who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress accused the Rivers State Governor of imposing his will on the party.
He pointed to the emergence of Uche Secondus as the National Chairman of the PDP.
Wike noted that the allegation is not true as Secondus was elected at the National Convention of the party.
The Rivers State Governor during a live broadcast on Thursday, accused his Ebonyi counterpart of treachery.
He stated that when the party caucus decided that Kingsley Chinda should be elected Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Umahi told his State Reps to work against it.
Wike said when committed members tried to rescue the PDP from “the destructive tendencies” of Ali Modi Sheriff, Umahi was one of those frolicking with him.
“We fought, won and Modi Sheriff left. I can say that I am one of those who made sure that PDP never died. I feel comfortable with my performance in my State. Rivers people are comfortable with me too,” he stated.
He further stated that party governors are aware that Umahi is an APC mole in the party.
He maintained his position that the Ebonyi governor’s claim that Igbos are marginalised in PDP was diversionary.
“Before PDP left office, they (South East) had Chief of Army Staff, they have had Senate Presidents, National Chairman, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Minister of Finance. Now, tell me what APC has given to the people of the South-East since 2015…Minister of Labour, Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
“Three Senators from his state said they have seen the need for the South-East to produce president. However, it is not the way our governor is going about. This is not a personal thing. Your ambition should not destroy the entire South East,” he added.
Wike also spoke on Umahi’s emergence as governor disclosed that it was former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, that convinced the governor’s predecessor to support him.
“If not for Pius Anyim that impressed it on former Governor (Martin) Elechi, would Umahi have become governor? So, he can’t say he’s the one who has built the PDP. The party made him and if he denies it, it tells you the kind of person he is.”
“What is even his contribution at the national level of the party to support his claim. Where was he when people like Alex Ekwueme fought General Abacha and built the party. I distaste such arrogance”, Wike fumed.