‘You’re a good man’ — ex-Rivers lawmakers declare support for Wike

Former lawmakers of the Rivers house of assembly have declared support for Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

The lawmakers announced their solidarity for the former Rivers governor on Sunday at a luncheon organised by Wike in Port Harcourt, capital city of Rivers state.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Awaji Igbani said they are behind Wike because of his goodwill.

“Goodwill is earned, not bought. Following Wike satisfies our consciences and aspirations,” he said.

Alluding to the rift between the minister and Siminalaya Fubara, governor of the state, Igbani, who was speaker during Wike’s stint as governor, said the former governor has no political battles with those behind him.

“For me and former members of the Rivers house of assembly, there is no war to fight,” Igbani said.

“If you are a man of goodwill, you don’t need to knock on anybody’s door.

“Any man who uses evil to pay for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

“We former members of the Rivers house of assembly — we shall not and shall never use evil to pay for the good you have done for us.”

Igbani said the former members attended the event to identify with Wike.

“Wike believes that if he eats, his neighbour should also eat. He is a detribalised leader,” the former speaker said.

The former legislators’ support for the FCT minister comes on the heels of the political crisis in the state.

Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads over control of the political structure of the state.

Although President Bola Tinubu intervened in the crisis, both men have continued to make public remarks about the crisis.

The lawmakers had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023. However, their seats were subsequently declared vacant by the new leadership of the house.