The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has on Monday said that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum is a toothless bulldog.
He said that the Nigerian governors had turned beggars since 2015 that the All Progressives Congress took over the leadership of the forum.
According to him, “Before 2015, the Governors’ Forum used to be very powerful but the APC killed it because they were protecting the interest of the ruling party.
“During one of the rerun elections in this state, my security aides were withdrawn, thus exposing me to danger; the forum did not say anything because the chairman was a member of the APC.
“I told them then that what they were doing was wrong. Now, they have become a Beggars’ Forum, even when there are constitutional infractions.
“You can see that the APC governors say that they are progressive; you can see how progressive they are when they keep quiet when a fellow sitting governor is disqualified from contesting elections.”
The governor also alleged that the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, is planning to perpetuate the impunity in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.
He then urged the people of Edo to say no to such impunity as it was done in Rivers State in 2010. He added that Oshiomhole should apologize to the people of Edo.
“Adams Oshiomhole campaigned for Governor Obaseki four years ago. The same man has turned around to say that Obaseki has a defective certificate.
“Has Oshiomhole apologized to Nigerians that he supported someone with a defective certificate? Who is saying that a sitting governor has a defective certificate? Is it a man that does not have a certificate?
“Oshiomhole should be told to practice what he preaches. The APC wants to perpetuate impunity in Edo State the way they unleashed terror in Rivers State in 2019.
“They think because they have the Army, Police, and INEC, they can do anything and get away with it. They tried it in Rivers State, but God gave us the will to say no. I hope Edo people will also say no to the impunity,” he said.
Wike also speaks on Obaseki’s planned defection to the PDP. He said that he would be happy to receive Obaseki in PDP but noted that he can’t guarantee him an automatic ticket because Edo people would decide.
“Edo PDP has a role to play. There is nothing like an endorsement. But I must tell you that I am not happy the way he was disqualified by the APC because it will affect his integrity,” he added.
