The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, avoided Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, the home council of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, during his recently concluded ‘thank-you’ tour of the state.
However, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the area told Punch that Wike consciously stayed away from Opobo due to the prevailing political tension in the state.
The politician, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said the minister’s decision was informed by self-preservation.
He said, “My brother, if you are the one with the current political tension in the state created by Wike himself, would you have gone to Opobo?
“That will be putting your hand in crocodile-infested water. Although nobody asked him not to come, nobody threatened him, but I think he advised himself.
“Give it to him, he knows what is good for him.”
The source further claimed that Wike’s experience in neighbouring Bonny Local Government Area, which is close to Opobo, may have reinforced the decision to stay away.
“In Bonny, when the minister went there, as we saw on TV, the place was empty. You know the history of Bonny and Opobo, so it was expected. But of course, he knows he wouldn’t have visited Opobo,” he said.
When asked what would have happened if Wike had visited Opobo, the politician replied calmly, “Nothing, but he will address himself. No true son or daughter of Opobo would have attended. So he knows.”
Recall that Wike concluded his tour in his own local government area, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where a rally was held on Sunday at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola.
The event reportedly recorded the largest turnout of the tour, with heavy traffic gridlock stretching along Aba Road and the Rumuola axis, as supporters thronged the venue to welcome the former Rivers governor.