By Nwaorgu Faustinus
The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, says it has come to is attention that Governor Nyesom Wike, having been thrown into panic mode due to recent unfavourable tribunal and Supreme Court rulings, impending mass desertions and bashing/advice by his associats such as Dr. Abiye Sekibo and Barr. OCJ Okocha, the governor has now embarked on hurried but curious appointments that have strong tainting of nepotism and greed.
“Even in the haste to shore up his fledgling support base, Gov. Nyesom Wike insists on appointing family members and business associates into positions in utter neglect for the greater number of his party members who took part in the violence and rigging of the 2015 sham elections in Rivers State except a few he has just appointed into Caretaker Councils whose fate hangs in the balance”, the APC Spokesman in Rivers State, Chris Finebone said in a statement made available to NF-Reports today.
The statement reads: “Indeed, Wike did not disappoint in displaying his nepotistic self once again by appointing his first cousin, Barr. Anugbum Onuoha as a Special Adviser after he had foisted same Anugbum Onuoha on Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a Commissioner in RSIEC when Wike was Chief of Staff to former governor Amaechi. Mr. Isaac Okemini who was seriously touted to be appointed as Commissioner for Finance ended up as an SA. Same for Shedrack Akalokwu who lobbied to be appointed Commissioner for Information; Prof. Israel Owate hoped he would be appointed Commissioner for Education but have to make do with appointment as another SA to the governor. The appointment of David Briggs as Chairman, State Post Primary Schools Board may be premised on the fact that he was a former Commissioner in the State.
“Wike has also appointed his brother in-law, Marshall Obuzor as a Senior Special Assistant on Social Media. This appointment of someone who is said to be an unknown quantity amongst social media practitioners, is basically to keep an eye on the other SSA on Social Media, Oraye Franklyn who many believe may not enjoy the full confidence of the governor. So far, this is the second brother in-law of the governor appointed by the latter. The first is Architect Nnamdi Obuzor, appointed into the newly constituted board of the Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority [GPDA] shortly after Wike was sworn in as governor.
“However, the most disconcerting is Wike’s appointment of his business front, Barr. Hanachor [Hanny] Woko as a full time member of the State Post-Primary Schools Board. It is imperative to note that since May 29, 2015 the Wike administration has awarded at least 3 contracts to SAHANY LTD. which Mr. Hanachor Woko operates as a front company for Governor Nyesom Wike. One of the contracts awarded to SAHANY LTD is the East/West – Ogbakiri – Degema – Abonnema Road Rehabilitation for N112.8m and was fully paid by the Wike administration.
“The APC is convinced that these appointments by Gov. Nyesom Wike are in readiness for electioneering campaigns towards election re-run even if he has appealed the judgment that annulled his purported election. But Rivers people cannot be deceived as they know Barr. Nyesom Wike too well enough not to vote for him to be governor under a free and fair atmosphere like now.
“Rivers people would rather advise Nyesom Wike to stick to his job as a successful contractor. He would make Rivers people happy if he utilizes his money and large construction equipment yard at Rukpokwu to carry out the following:
1. Complete the road in Rumuolumeni which his company, EASY-E bought from Hon. Tony Okeah, former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly [Chair, House Ctee on Works].
2. Complete Ogbandele – Ibaa Road which he used EASY-E to buy from Hon. Timothy Nsirim, former Chairman, Obio/Akpor Local Government Council.
3. Re-construct the poorly executed Amaechi Road linking GRA II to Mile 4 for which his company was fully paid.
4. Complete Eneka – Rukpokwu Road which his company poorly executed.
“The APC would like to urge the governor to constitute the state cabinet without further delay, it does not matter how short he believes his administration will last. Government is a continuum. But if what the governor is doing by making some half-hearted appointments is aimed at winning a re-run election as governor, it might interest him to know that Rivers people know Barr. Nyesom Wike as a contractor and they will never vote for a governor who doubles as a contractor at the same time.”
