A member of the Rivers State Elders Forum, Asukuwe Ikoawaji, has said that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, does not hold the title of king of Rivers State.
This response was prompted by a statement made by the former governor of Rivers State, in which he asserted that true leadership would become evident when the time is right.
The statement has sparked speculation about the possibility of a new phase of political realignment.
Wike made the assertion on Saturday while visiting the National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Victor Giadom, raising speculation of another round of political realignment.
“Forget about these hungry noisemakers on the road. When the time comes, we will know who is in charge and who is not in charge. There is a time for everything.
“This is not time for politics. When the time comes, we will know who is who. If you like, abuse me as you want. If you like, employ everybody on social media. I have never bothered myself one day to know who is abusing me.
“Politics will come. We didn’t contest elections based on social media. We spoke to the people; they listened and believed in us,” Wike said.
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Nevertheless, during his appearance on Monday’s Morning programme on Arise Television, Ikoawaji asserted that Wike does not hold the political supremacy in Rivers State, maintaining that there is no authoritative figure in control.
“It’s not true. And I’m saying it with all amount of authority, Wike is not the political king of Rivers State.
“Life is turn by turn. If you think today is your turn, tomorrow will be another person’s turn.
“There was a time people talk more than anybody that is talking today. But where are they today?
“Everybody has a right to say what he wants to say; in Nigeria you have a freedom of speech. But when the time comes, like I have said in a previous interview, the Rivers people will decide.
“Nobody today can say ‘I own Rivers State’.
“The Rivers people will decide when the time comes, no single person amongst six million Rivers people can say ‘I am in charge’. Nobody is in charge. Everybody has a right to say what he wants to say. This is a democracy.”