Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi was sworn-in as Governor of Rivers State on October 26, 2007 after a ten month legal battle in which the apex court in Nigeria presided over by the then Chief Justice of Nigerian Justice Iyorchia Katsina-Alu sacked the sitting governor, Celestine Omehia after a five-month tenure.
Governor Amaechi quickly appointed Barrister Nyeso Wike into the most powerful position, the office of the Chief of Staff to run the affairs of government. No one was in doubt that Wike would be the first to be appointed and into such an exalted office. He had been the rallying point for Amaechi's supporters while Amaechi relocated to Ghana during the period that his suit against INEC, PDP and Omehia lasted in Court.
Wike became the de facto leader of the group known as the Believers who were ardent supporters of Gov. Amaechi. He was in-charge of whatever funds that were donated for the cause of Amaechi's legal struggle which was capital intensive. Wike was to take direct orders from Amaechi who called the shots from Ghana where he exiled for fear of being killed and harassed by the EFCC.
So, it was that both men became like Siamese twins. While Amaechi had believed in running a free government without much restrictions and flamboyance that is usually associated with the office, Wike was of a different view. Shortly after swinging into action as governor, Amaechi began to open his doors to those who were against his ambition and who fought to scuttle his victory at the court.
One of such persons was Joy Nunieh who was critical of Amaechi. She was quoted to have said that Amaechi did not possess the charisma to become governor. Ms Nunieh as she was known then eventually became one of Amaechi's closest ally who called the shots in government. She was also said to have been awarded a contract of almost N3billion and that did not go down well with Wike and most of Amaechi's supporters who were yet to be empowered.
The governor went further to make certain appointments without seeking Wike's opinion and that had angered the Chief of Staff. Wike had expected that having been in-charge of the group that supported his struggle, Amaechi should have consulted him first before opening his doors to those considered enemies of the government. But the governor was determined to reconcile with those who had hurt him. He met with the other aspirants who also contested the governorship primaries with him. Amaechi even awarded contracts to most of them to enable them recover what they had spent during their campaign.
The likes of Prince Tonye Princewill who contested the election under the umbrella of A.C.N. became one of Amaechi's closest friends who was seen on the governor's entourage always. He also benefited
from several contracts.
But Wike was said to be opposed to the governor's style. His office had become not as powerful as his predecessor's, Glory Emeh under Omehia. It was Emeh who screened and approved all those who must have audience with the governor but here, Amaechi had direct dealings with his guests. His phone line was accessible to everyone and that made most persons by-pass Wike to see the governor. Amaechi's style was a far departure from former Gov. Odili's style. Governance in Amaechi's early days became demystified.
The stage was set again for a sharp disagreement between Amaechi and his COS. It was time to appoint the first set of Judges for the State judiciary. Recall that Amaechi and Wike are from Ikwerre ethnic group of the state, an Upland group. So, in the spirit of zoning, Amaechi considered that it was appropriate for the Riverine people of the state to be given some positions since the then Chief Judge, Justice Iche Ndu is also from Ikwerre. But Wike wanted his wife to be appointed a Judge and that would have further disenfranchised the Riverine people. The governor was strongly opposed to that and told Wike it was expedient to favour the Riverine people as he could still appoint his wife in the next batch. That did not go down well with Wike but the governor went ahead to do his bidding. That action by the governor had caused Wike so much pain as he wanted to be rewarded at each point for his role in the struggle.
It was time to reward all the supporters of the governor especially those who were part of the struggle. The jobs mapped out was said to be to the tune of N30 Billion Naira. Rather award the contracts to the people, Wike was said to have registered phony companies and business names which he used to corner the jobs directly to himself. He then sub-contracted most of the jobs to some of his cronies and friends at far lesser contract values. He made the beneficiaries believe that he was the one rewarding them for their support to the struggle since the governor was not ready to do so. Unknown to the people, these jobs were originally meant for them at higher contract values. So, they began to see the Chief of Staff as their dependable leader. Most of them who no longer could access the governor believed his mantra.
The governor only got to have a wind of it that his supporters had been short-changed when there was a disquiet in the Ikwerre Youth Movement, IYM. Wike had staged a 'palace coup' to change the leadership of IYM which was formed by the governor. The President, Azubuike 'Byke' Nwanjoku is a loyalist of the governor. Wike had wanted to control the strong youth body in preparation for his hidden agenda of becoming governor. But the governor sensing something sinister in the plot, swung into action and saved Byke from being replaced by Ishi, a die-hard supporter of Wike. It was during the Town Hall Meeting with the members of IYM that the governor found out that most of them were not awarded any contracts. When the governor confronted his COS, that COS saw it as a challenge by the governor. The enmity was building up again.
It was now turn for Rivers State to nominate the Managing Director of NDDC to fill up its own slot. Again, Wike wanted to be nominated. Again, the governor thought it unfair since other ethnic groups needed to be represented also in political appointments. The COS lost that opportunity and that again did not go down well with him. The position of Managing Director in NDDC was a juicy one as that would have not only increased his financial war chest but also made him more powerful as he would oversee nine Niger Delta States as well as all those who needed contracts from the NDDC.
Next, was the 2011 elections and Wike wanted to go to the Senate to represent his Senatorial zone, the Rivers. East Senatorial Zone which comprises of eight Local Government Areas, mixed up with both the Riverine and Upland people. While Wike threatened to quit his office if he doesn't make it to the Senate, the First Lady was more favourably disposed to Senator George Sekibo, her kinsman from Ogu/ Bolo LGA of Rivers State, a Riverine man who was the serving Senator. The Governor had told Wike and Chief Andrew Uchendu to let Mrs. Jonathan have her way as it was not also right that the three Senatorial seats would be occupied by the Upland people, particularly from the Ikwerre ethnic group who had already dominated the political offices.
Wike was battle ready for the First Lady and her preferred candidate. He boasted that given a free and fair primary election, he would win in a landslide. But, the governor gave Mrs. Jonathan the concession to instal her candidate, so there was no need for primaries.
Amaechi sensing that Wike was bitter as he had decided to quit his office then went ahead and appointed Wike his campaign
manager for the 2011 elections. Several hundreds of Millions of Naira was released to the C0S for the campaign. He was fully in-charge as he not only worked for the victory of the party at the polls, he was also able to instal his own loyalists into elective positions.
The governor had promised the President that he would deliver Rivers votes for him which he did. Again, Wike found himself involved in the process of securing the votes for the PDP. Amaechi did not collect any money from the President for the election and that moved the President to zone the South South Ministerial slot to Rivers State. Amaechi thus nominated Wike for that position. After Wike's exit as COS, the governor decided to appoint his kinsman, Tony Okocha as a replacement but Wike won't take that. He never wanted Okocha, his former ally. Wike who was acting as governor wanted his stooge as the COS as that would still keep him in check of his deals. But Amaechi had his way and appointed Tony Okocha who is seen by most persons as a more dependable ally. Wike feeling bruised left for Abuja and tried severally to stop Okocha from being sworn-in. He lost out again. Okocha's appointment seems to have been the last straw that broke the camel's back.
This thus set the stage for another feudal crisis between Amaechi and the President. Wike turned from being an Amaechi man to a Jonathan man.
To be continued....
THE AMAECHI - WIKE FEUD....The True Story Part 1.
Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi was sworn-in as Governor of Rivers State on October 26, 2007 after a ten month legal battle in which the apex court in Nigeria presided over by the then Chief Justice of Nigerian Justice Iyorchia Katsina-Alu sacked the sitting governor, Celestine Omehia after a five-month tenure.
Governor Amaechi quickly appointed Barrister Nyeso Wike into the most powerful position, the office of the Chief of Staff to run the affairs of government. No one was in doubt that Wike would be the first to be appointed and into such an exalted office. He had been the rallying point for Amaechi's supporters while Amaechi relocated to Ghana during the period that his suit against INEC, PDP and Omehia lasted in Court.
Wike became the de facto leader of the group known as the Believers who were ardent supporters of Gov. Amaechi. He was in-charge of whatever funds that were donated for the cause of Amaechi's legal struggle which was capital intensive. Wike was to take direct orders from Amaechi who called the shots from Ghana where he exiled for fear of being killed and harassed by the EFCC.
So, it was that both men became like Siamese twins. While Amaechi had believed in running a free government without much restrictions and flamboyance that is usually associated with the office, Wike was of a different view. Shortly after swinging into action as governor, Amaechi began to open his doors to those who were against his ambition and who fought to scuttle his victory at the court.
One of such persons was Joy Nunieh who was critical of Amaechi. She was quoted to have said that Amaechi did not possess the charisma to become governor. Ms Nunieh as she was known then eventually became one of Amaechi's closest ally who called the shots in government. She was also said to have been awarded a contract of almost N3billion and that did not go down well with Wike and most of Amaechi's supporters who were yet to be empowered.
The governor went further to make certain appointments without seeking Wike's opinion and that had angered the Chief of Staff. Wike had expected that having been in-charge of the group that supported his struggle, Amaechi should have consulted him first before opening his doors to those considered enemies of the government. But the governor was determined to reconcile with those who had hurt him. He met with the other aspirants who also contested the governorship primaries with him. Amaechi even awarded contracts to most of them to enable them recover what they had spent during their campaign.
The likes of Prince Tonye Princewill who contested the election under the umbrella of A.C.N. became one of Amaechi's closest friends who was seen on the governor's entourage always. He also benefited
from several contracts.
But Wike was said to be opposed to the governor's style. His office had become not as powerful as his predecessor's, Glory Emeh under Omehia. It was Emeh who screened and approved all those who must have audience with the governor but here, Amaechi had direct dealings with his guests. His phone line was accessible to everyone and that made most persons by-pass Wike to see the governor. Amaechi's style was a far departure from former Gov. Odili's style. Governance in Amaechi's early days became demystified.
The stage was set again for a sharp disagreement between Amaechi and his COS. It was time to appoint the first set of Judges for the State judiciary. Recall that Amaechi and Wike are from Ikwerre ethnic group of the state, an Upland group. So, in the spirit of zoning, Amaechi considered that it was appropriate for the Riverine people of the state to be given some positions since the then Chief Judge, Justice Iche Ndu is also from Ikwerre. But Wike wanted his wife to be appointed a Judge and that would have further disenfranchised the Riverine people. The governor was strongly opposed to that and told Wike it was expedient to favour the Riverine people as he could still appoint his wife in the next batch. That did not go down well with Wike but the governor went ahead to do his bidding. That action by the governor had caused Wike so much pain as he wanted to be rewarded at each point for his role in the struggle.
It was time to reward all the supporters of the governor especially those who were part of the struggle. The jobs mapped out was said to be to the tune of N30 Billion Naira. Rather award the contracts to the people, Wike was said to have registered phony companies and business names which he used to corner the jobs directly to himself. He then sub-contracted most of the jobs to some of his cronies and friends at far lesser contract values. He made the beneficiaries believe that he was the one rewarding them for their support to the struggle since the governor was not ready to do so. Unknown to the people, these jobs were originally meant for them at higher contract values. So, they began to see the Chief of Staff as their dependable leader. Most of them who no longer could access the governor believed his mantra.
The governor only got to have a wind of it that his supporters had been short-changed when there was a disquiet in the Ikwerre Youth Movement, IYM. Wike had staged a 'palace coup' to change the leadership of IYM which was formed by the governor. The President, Azubuike 'Byke' Nwanjoku is a loyalist of the governor. Wike had wanted to control the strong youth body in preparation for his hidden agenda of becoming governor. But the governor sensing something sinister in the plot, swung into action and saved Byke from being replaced by Ishi, a die-hard supporter of Wike. It was during the Town Hall Meeting with the members of IYM that the governor found out that most of them were not awarded any contracts. When the governor confronted his COS, that COS saw it as a challenge by the governor. The enmity was building up again.
It was now turn for Rivers State to nominate the Managing Director of NDDC to fill up its own slot. Again, Wike wanted to be nominated. Again, the governor thought it unfair since other ethnic groups needed to be represented also in political appointments. The COS lost that opportunity and that again did not go down well with him. The position of Managing Director in NDDC was a juicy one as that would have not only increased his financial war chest but also made him more powerful as he would oversee nine Niger Delta States as well as all those who needed contracts from the NDDC.
Next, was the 2011 elections and Wike wanted to go to the Senate to represent his Senatorial zone, the Rivers. East Senatorial Zone which comprises of eight Local Government Areas, mixed up with both the Riverine and Upland people. While Wike threatened to quit his office if he doesn't make it to the Senate, the First Lady was more favourably disposed to Senator George Sekibo, her kinsman from Ogu/ Bolo LGA of Rivers State, a Riverine man who was the serving Senator. The Governor had told Wike and Chief Andrew Uchendu to let Mrs. Jonathan have her way as it was not also right that the three Senatorial seats would be occupied by the Upland people, particularly from the Ikwerre ethnic group who had already dominated the political offices.
Wike was battle ready for the First Lady and her preferred candidate. He boasted that given a free and fair primary election, he would win in a landslide. But, the governor gave Mrs. Jonathan the concession to instal her candidate, so there was no need for primaries.
Amaechi sensing that Wike was bitter as he had decided to quit his office then went ahead and appointed Wike his campaign
manager for the 2011 elections. Several hundreds of Millions of Naira was released to the C0S for the campaign. He was fully in-charge as he not only worked for the victory of the party at the polls, he was also able to instal his own loyalists into elective positions.
The governor had promised the President that he would deliver Rivers votes for him which he did. Again, Wike found himself involved in the process of securing the votes for the PDP. Amaechi did not collect any money from the President for the election and that moved the President to zone the South South Ministerial slot to Rivers State. Amaechi thus nominated Wike for that position. After Wike's exit as COS, the governor decided to appoint his kinsman, Tony Okocha as a replacement but Wike won't take that. He never wanted Okocha, his former ally. Wike who was acting as governor wanted his stooge as the COS as that would still keep him in check of his deals. But Amaechi had his way and appointed Tony Okocha who is seen by most persons as a more dependable ally. Wike feeling bruised left for Abuja and tried severally to stop Okocha from being sworn-in. He lost out again. Okocha's appointment seems to have been the last straw that broke the camel's back.
This thus set the stage for another feudal crisis between Amaechi and the President. Wike turned from being an Amaechi man to a Jonathan man.
To be continued....
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