Rivers Crisis: Uchendu blasts Wike

*Wike reckless, uncouth




The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Public Service Matters, Chief Andrew Uchendu has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to call the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike to order over his utterances on the political crisis rocking Rivers State.

Reacting to Wike's alleged threat to make Rivers ungovernable, Uchendu who represents Ikwerre-Emohua Federal Constituency, expressed concern that The Presidency has failed to caution the minster over the inflammatory statement published in major national news dailies on Sunday.

Wike, who spoke at the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) event in Obio/Akpo Local Government Area of the state, was quoted as saying, “We will make sure they will not sleep again, as they are sleeping now. They will not sleep with their two eyes closed. One eye will be open because they know there is danger."

Uchendu, who spoke with our reporter on Tuesday, expressed concern over the threat saying, "I am surprised that the Presidency has not called this minister to order. I wonder the capacity that he is making such inflammatory statements.

"How can a minister threaten that he will ensure that a state does not sleep? This cannot be in the interest of Mr. President, Governor Amaechi and the people of Rivers state. Perhaps it is in the interest of Nyesom Wike for there to be problem in the state.

"There are people like us who are loyal to the President in the state but unhappy with how Wike is conducting himself. He should be cautioned about his reckless utterance. I am disappointed because there is no minister anywhere who will engage in such conduct," he added.

Uchendu lamented that the Wike's statement is capable of thwarting efforts of elders and leaders who are working hard to reconcile parties involved in the crisis.

He said, "Wike should stop using the name of the president to conduct himself in an unruly manner and making reckless statements. I have said it many times; I do not know on which basis a minister will continue to engage in very reckless statements. A public officer at his level should not throw caution to the wind. We have a level of education and upbringing that set minimum standard for our conduct."

Reacting to insinuations that the crisis was not unconnected with the 2015 governorship election in the state, Chief Uchendu said it is yet too early for people to start heating the polity over an election that is nearly two years away.

Besides, he said it would be foolhardy for any politician to think that he would receive the mandate of the people because of his propensity for violence.

"INEC has not asked us to go and campaign. When it gives the permission it should not be about war. People will look at the pedigree, background, level of education and upbringing to decide the best person to govern the state.

"It will be left for the people of Rivers State to decide if they want violent people, betrayers, people without credibility or credible people who are in politics to develop and improve their quality and standard of lives," he added.