RIVERS 2015: WIKE IS THE EASIEST CANDIDATE TO BEAT - TONY OKOCHA

The Chief of Staff to Governor Amaechi, Chief Tony Okocha has taken a swipe at the Minister for State, Education, Chief Nyesom Wike who spoke recently to a section of the media claiming that he is a problem to the APC if he decides to contest the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Chief Okocha said that Wike is not a problem to APC rather he is a problem to the PDP. According to the Chief Aide to the Governor, "Wike is the easiest person to beat at the polls and we in APC are fervently praying for him to win the ticket of the PDP". He further said, "If Wike wins the ticket, then it will be a simple walk-over for our candidate. Rivers people know better".
Meanwhile, the Minister is said to be in a running battle with his Party over his perceived ambition which has widened the gulf among the different ethnic groups that make up the state. According to the founder of Kengema Unity Forum, KUF, Ambassador Sobomabo Jackrich alias Egberi Papa, during the official lunch of the group over the weekend at Buguma, "It is an injustice on our people, the Kalabari's for Wike to want to succeed Gov. Amaechi whose tenure of eight years will end soon after his predecessor, Gov. Odili ruled for eight years and handed over to Celestine Omehia".
Egberi Papa continuing explained that Omehia who is Ikwerre was ousted by the Court which brought in Amaechi, another Ikwerre man. He wondered the rationale behind Wike's aspiration when he is also an Ikwerre man. For sixteen years, he said, the Upland people have been ruling the state and they want to rule for another eight years if Wike is allowed to succeed Amaechi. He went further to say that Wike was Amaechi's loyalist and Chief of Staff who because of their differences now wants to take over his position.
The leader of KUF said attempts by Wike to do so will be resisted by the group which is at the forefront of mobilizing support for a Kalabari governor.
Though there is a disquiet amongst the PDP in the state but Wike's supporters say he is the only man who can win election for PDP in the state against Amaechi's APC ruling the state.
But all that has been punctured by the entrance into the race by Engr. Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack who has declared his intention at the launching of KUF. Dagogo-Jack is said to have an intimidating profile and the needed contact while also being very close to the Presidency as he is currently the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Power and a revered member of the Nigeria Economic Group.
In the wake of calls for a power shift in the state, Wike asked if any of those asking for power shift can win elections in their wards.

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