By Godwin Anene
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has explained why he congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his tribunal victory on Wednesday.
Wike, who has come under public criticism from some members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for congratulating Buhari, said he decided to congratulate Mr President publicly unlike some of his colleagues who secretly visit Buhari at night in Abuja.
The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal had on Wednesday affirmed the election victory of Buhari, who was the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 23rd, 2019 general elections.
ALSO READ: Female Bank Chief Who Slept With 200 Male Customers, Job Seekers Suspended
Wike, however, congratulated the President Buhari immediately after the verdict.
Speaking at the funeral service of the mother of Chief Sergeant Awuse, a PDP leader in the state, late Madam Blessing Awuse, held at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Emohua, on Thursday, said it was better to offer public congratulations than visit the President at night.
He explained that unlike some of his PDP governors who visit President Muhammadu Buhari at night, he made his declaration public because it came from his heart.
According to him, “I am sure all of you are surprised that I congratulated Buhari. Is it not good for me to congratulate him than to go to his house in the night?
“Many PDP governors go to see him in his house in the night. I have never gone and I will not go. I won’t go.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: BEDC Slams N70m Debts On Delta Community, Residents Protest One Year Blackout
“We are the only state that the Federal Government refused to pay us our money used to execute federal projects because I don’t go to see him in the night and I won’t go.
“He is not my friend; he is not doing well, but he won in court. Should I say that the court did wrong? No.”
Wike, however, said President Muhammadu Buhari must carry all Nigerians along and unite all sections of the country.
“President Buhari, congratulations and carry Nigerians along. Unify the country; the country is too divided. I am saying what is right. What I will do, I will do; what I will not do, I will not do.”
Speaking on the death of late Mrs. Blessing Awuse, Wike said deceased lived a fulfilled life and raised disciplined and trustworthy children, describing her burial as a celebration of life.
Anglican Bishop of Ikwerre Diocese, Rt. Rev. Blessing Enyindah, praised the governor for his commitment to the development of the state.
