By Uche Amunike
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has apologized to former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomole, for running him down, during their political face off, when he solidly stood behind Godwin Obaseki.
The apology was tendered by Governor Nyesom Wike, Wednesday during the inauguration of Rumuepirikom Flyover, in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The inauguration of the flyover, which was the 8th of such projects carried out by the Rivers State government as part of the Urban Renewal of Wike’s administration, in the heart of Port Harcourt, was performed by Oshiomole, who was in attendance as Nyesom Wike’s guest of honour.
That was when Wike apologized to Oshiomole, saying: ‘I use this opportunity to apologize to you. You know I came to Edo State to make sure your candidate didn’t win election. I was virtually in charge, everyday coming out on television to take you on, and I said you will not win, and you didn’t win.’
‘Well, that assignment has been done, we now know who is who. I want to tell my people, I sincerely apologise to you and you know, every time, we learn. We are now friends. Let bygones be bygones’, he said to the smiling Oshiomole.
He added that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) G-5 governors will only accept reconciliation centered on fairness, equity and Justice over the agitation to have the party chairman, Ayu Ayorchia resign, pitting him and his allies against the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
While performing the task of inaugurating the new flyover, Oshiomole said this to Nyesom Wike: ‘I think, Rivers people should be proud because our people often say prophets are not appreciated at home. Governor Wike has truly transformed this city.
‘Sir, truth is I have not heard anyone who is able to say with some measure of confidence that Governor Wike, his own na just talk. You talk, you walk the talk.’
‘In politics, I can’t come to this place when we want the votes and begin to celebrate you. If I celebrate you like our President Buhari has celebrated you now, and you’re using the certificate to make the most potent campaign against my own party what can we say?’
‘Facts are very stubborn. So, I agree that even your worse critics will admit that governor Wike has made a difference. You made a difference not only in projects but even your statement this afternoon. I join you in saying, because I had course to say that in Benin when I was governor of Edo that how can a country be governed by people who cannot be trusted.’
‘When politicians make statements, make promises or even make agreements or even enact laws and the laws are not to be obeyed by themselves but to be obeyed by others and when they default in their promise or standing, they say that is politics for you.’
