Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is bitter with Rivers State because he and his associates were strongly resisted their attempt to steal the mandate of Rivers people.
This is he called for the resignation of Oshiomhole in view of his failure to stop the inauguration of Bayelsa State Governor as he boasted.
Wike, who spoke in an interview at Government House, Port Harcourt, stated that he is not a violent politician, emphasising that under no circumstances would Rivers people allow Oshiomhole and his associates rob Rivers mandate.
The governor said: “This is a country where you see people who do not have character. Today they sing a song, tomorrow they sing another song. I think Oshiomhole as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress is not a character that anybody should associate with.
“First of all I have never been violent and I will never be violent. However, when you see an armed robber come to your house, will you plead with the armed robber and say please I beg you leave my house.
“People think that armed robbers are only those who cart away people’s money. The worst form of armed robbery is when you steal peoples mandate and just like what Oshiomhole is noted for. He thinks because he’s in the ruling party, he can use security to steal the mandate of the people. He was taught a lesson, a bitter lesson and I want to repeat, if you come to steal our mandate, the people will respond accordingly.
“They will oppose your stealing of their mandate and so Oshiomhole thinks that because he is in the ruling party nobody should say anything or do anything. Stealing is not only when you go to rob a bank. The worse form of armed robbery is when you steal the mandate of the people.”
He described Oshiomhole as a politician without character, noting that the APC National Chairman is always driven by survival instincts.
Wike stated that the former Edo State Governor cannot lay claim to having canvassed for one man, one vote because he is not practising the philosophy.
The governor noted that he stopped attending the National Economic Council because Oshiomhole turned it into a forum to bash former President Goodluck Jonathan, when he had gone to praise Jonathan at Aso Villa for ensuring credible elections.
He said: “When Jonathan made sure the election was free and fair, Oshiomhole came to the villa and thanked Jonathan. When Jonathan left office, one of the reason why I don’t go to NEC meeting is because of Oshiomhole.
“When he was a member. When Jonathan left, there was no day at the NEC meeting Oshiomhole will not bring Jonathan down. Meanwhile, that was the same man Oshiomhole went to praise for allowing one man one vote. But when the man left, Oshiomhole changed. That is his character.”
Wike said Oshiomhole became Governor through questionable means. He noted that the questionable emergence of Oshiomhole led to constitutional amendment for governorship matters to terminate at the Supreme Court.
The governor said: “Nigerians know one matter that led to the amendment of the electoral act where Governorship election has to go to the Supreme Court is because of the Oshiomhole matter . So he cannot come out and say he was clean in terms of Electoral process. That will be very bad.
“Oshiomhole said he fought godfatherism and the same time he wants to install himself as a godfather in Edo state. Why is he fighting Obaseki, because the man doesn’t take instruction from him. He preaches what he doesn’t practice.”