Stakeholders in Rivers State politics, including political actors, have countered the moves by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, trying to discredit the achievements of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in order to prevent his reelection.

Wike had insisted that there is an existing agreement reached with the governor not to contest the 2027 election, using his time on holiday for the yuletide to mount a campaign against Fubara, who recently defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike, who remains a member of the PDP, is also uncomfortable that Fubara referred to himself as the number one member of the APC in the state, hence the party’s leader.

A thank you tour of the FCT minister to the Gokana Local Government Area, where he met Sir. Victor Giadom, APC national vice chairman, South-South, Sen. Magnus and other APC leaders in the area have sparked outrage after Giadom called Fubara “so-called Governor.”

Giadom also said that Gokana is a “No-go area’ for anybody, even Governor Fubara. For him to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike.”

But some Rivers people have described Giadom’s comment as an insult to the position of the Governor, arguing that he was duly elected by the people of the state, hence deserves the respect accorded to the office.

Some of them took to social media to voice out their condemnation over Giadom’s comment, while some called in via phone to radio programmes.

An Ogoni leader, Dr Fabeke Douglas, in a social media post, said it was an error for Giadom to refer to Fubara as “so-called governor,” adding that it was nothing short of a personal attack on the Governor.

Fabeke said: “…Having interacted with Chief Victor Giadom, I know him to be a refined and dignified individual who chooses his words carefully, which makes his recent remark all the more surprising. Referring to the Governor as “So called Governor” was, in my opinion, an error.

“Politics, to me, is about distinguishing between effective and ineffective leadership, rather than resorting to personal attacks. It’s disappointing to see individuals from Ogoni resorting to insults. Politics should be conducted with decorum and respect, aiming to positively impact society.

“The Governor deserves the same respect accorded to previous leaders of Rivers State. Rather than criticising the current administration, aspirants should present their vision to the people of Rivers State. The current tension is unnecessary.”

Another stakeholder, Emeka Mba, said that Giadom ought to accord respect to the position the Governor occupies through an election
MBA said: “‎A man in authority by position as APC national vice chairman, came out publicly and dismissed the constituted authority of his state as ‘The so-called Governor of Rivers state”.

“That’s the lowest of the low. It shouldn’t have been him. I have always regarded him as a respectable man, and felt so ashamed hearing and seeing him go that low. It was such a shameful spectacle.

“‎Another wild remark was when he said,” For the Governor to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike”.

“This is Ignorance at its peak. Wike is not an electorate in Gokana. This remark, I believe, was designed to make Wike feel good and important, but it was counterproductive. It only made Nigerians see Wike as a finished man desperately begging for attention.

“We understand their fear, anger, frustration, and desperation to raise Wike back from his political tomb, a politician who has long been buried politically in the state.

*We understand they are afraid and desperate to impress Abuja, but they shouldn’t have gone this low. They have made a lasting negative impression since this whole desperate campaign was kicked off this December.

“This is the spirit of error at work. Every day they open their mouth, they indict themselves more, before the powers they are frantically trying to impress.”

Another Rivers person, who also spoke via social media, claimed that “Wike has practically destroyed every governance structure, and democratic fabric of our dear Rivers State. Ruined everything that once made us great.”

He also frowned at the comment coming from known Wike loyalists, including Samuel Nwanosike and Chief Bright Amaewhule, noting that they get compensated for insulting the governor

He said: “Ishi Samuel has severely and openly disparaged the Governor of Rivers State… What has happened to him? Nothing. Rather, he’s been compensated with a juicy appointment in the same government of the Governor he so disrespected and abused.

*Just yesterday, Chief Bright Amaewhule (GDI) was trending on Facebook, where he was insulting the Governor once again.”