Why It’s A Double Battle For Gov Wike And Minister Rotimi Amaechi
The governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and his predecessor, Honourable Rotimi Amaechi are set for another round of battle, recent happenings in Rivers State and beyond have indicated.
Their renewed battle is in connection with the coming general election and interestingly, in two folds, highstreet.ng understands.
The general elections, according to information released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will hold between the months of February and March 2023.
Mr Amaechi, who is the minister of transportation in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is a high-ranking member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike, a former ally, who fell out with Amaechi towards the end of his two-term reign – from 2007 to 2015 -, is the incumbent governor of Rivers State and an influential member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr Wike back then-president Goodluck Jonathan, stopped Rotimi Amaechi from installing his choice as governor of the south-south state in 2015.
As a matter of fact, he roundly defeated Dakuku Peterside, a former member house of representatives backed by the then sitting governor Rotimi Amaechi.
And they have remained estranged ever since.
Their aspirations for the office of the president of Nigeria as well as who becomes the governor of the oil-rich state in 2023 appear to have set them against each other once again.
“Though the chance of the scenario playing out is very slim, one should expect a serious political fight in Rivers State should the duo clinch their respective party’s presidential tickets, a source who is familiar with Rivers State politics pointed out.
Earlier report by highstreet.ng indicated Mr Amaechi has again thrown his weight behind billionaire Tonye Cole, his anointed candidate who was axed by the supreme court days before the 2019 gubernatorial election in the state.
Governor Wike, though yet to name anyone as his preferred successor, information filtering out from his camp revealed he’s tirelessly plotting for a sellable candidate that would eventually transform the choice of the people of Rivers State at the end of the day.
