The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has mended fences and realigned with his estranged friend and south-south chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Victor Giadom.
Wike, who was hosted by Giadom at his Bera country home in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday, January 6, said he was happy to be back to his friend.
Though the former Rivers governor described the event as a private visit devoid of politics, it reinforced speculations that Wike was preparing the ground to defect to the APC and lead a solid team to support President Bola Tinubu.
The event attracted serving senators and members of the House of Representatives from Rivers, leaders of APC and the PDP; two former chairmen of Rivers PDP, Felix Obuah and Amb. Desmond Akawor; Southsouth Chairman of PDP, Chief Dan Orbih; PDP National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, traditional rulers; local government chairmen; youths; and women, among others.
Clarifying the purpose of his visit, Wike said, “I didn’t come here for politics. I came here to visit my friend, Giadom. Let nobody misinterpret why I came here. That is why I came with the PDP and APC leaders. It is a private visit to my friend.”
Wike said Giadom only gathered his people to show he was still politically relevant, noting that politics was about making an impact on the people.
Addressing Giadom, he said: “I have never been in doubt about your capacity to relate with your people. Politics is about impact. If you want to be a successful politician, you must impact your people so that when you call them, they will answer you.”
Speaking about how people valued him across the country and how they always posed for pictures with him, Wike said it was a testament to his service to the people.
However, he said, “Forget about these hungry noisemakers on the road. When the time comes, we will know who is in charge and who is not in charge. There is a time for everything.
“This is not time for politics. When the time comes, we will know who is who. If you like, abuse me as you want. If you like to employ everybody on social media,. I have never bothered myself to know who is abusing me. Politics will come. We didn’t contest the election based on social media. We spoke to the people; they listened and believed in us.”
Speaking on his realignment with Giadom, he said, “Party will come and go, and friendship will remain. We have made our mistakes; we are all humans, but friendship remains.
“When I was appointed a minister, Victor Giadom led a team to congratulate me. It does not matter where you belong; what is important is the interest of Rivers. If you want to be a successful politician, greedy people will not like you. Nobody has done well in politics without enemies. Those who hate you are in the minority. Those who love you are in the majority.”.
Wike recalled his capacity when he held sway as the Rivers governor, insisting that he would continue to support the administration of President Tinubu.
He said, “When I was governor, Nigeria heard about Rivers State. That is what I have always preached. So, nobody should be afraid. I had no regrets when I stood by with my colleagues and friends and said that the presidency must go to the south.
“There was nothing I was not offered. But I said no. That is why I will continue to support the government of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. As I am going back home, I am going with the satisfaction that my friend is back.
“This visit I made today will cause a lot of trouble. Some people will start visiting now. Follow the who knows road. Continue to support Victor and all your leaders, who mean well for all of you.
“For the first time in history, the Ogoni man is the chairman of works. I am happy that Ledum Mitee is a member of the NNPCL. Let nobody cause community problems. When you do that, development will not come.”.
Earlier, Giadom referred to Wike’s visit as the homecoming of a brother, a friend, and a leader and assured him that they would support a team he would lead in Rivers.
Giadom said: “Today is the homecoming of a brother, a friend, and a leader. I stand here on this ground to let you know that we have lived well, paid our dues, and contributed to the development of this place.
“Be rest assured that we will support the team you will lead in Rivers to provide support for our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the main reason we are all here today. In this place, nobody can challenge any visitor on this soil. We are in firm control of this place.”