Wike accuses Buhari, Amaechi of interfering in 2019 Rivers election

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has accused President Muhammadu Buhari and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, of interfering in the 2019 governorship election in the state.

Wike made the claim, yesterday, during a ceremony to flag-off the construction of internal roads in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Council of the state, performed by Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

He said: “I heard Mr. President say, yesterday, that he will not interfere (in the 2023 election). He told the governors he will not interfere. In the other one (2019), you interfered by sending people to come and finish us in Rivers State.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for saying you will not interfere or intimidate anybody, which means there’s no way for your party.

“Of course, he interfered, the last time, by using the army, through the former Minister of Transportation. But the people stood up and said no, this will not happen.

“I thank Mr. president that he wants to leave a legacy of conducting a free and fair election.” Expressing doubt concerning the promise by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give Nigerians a free and fair election, Wike said: “My problem is INEC, whether they will do what they said they will do. They are making promises. I don’t know whether they will keep to it. If INEC will keep to the promise that Nigeria will get a better election, I will be so happy. Everybody will see with his or her eyes. Abuja does not vote; it is the people here that will vote.”

Wike also took a swipe at a certain leader from the South-South, whom he accused of being self-seeking. He said: “What will they tell their children; people who will like to eat their own share, eat their children’s share and eat their grandchildren’s share? When somebody, at the age of seventy-something, is lobbying to be Chief of Staff, what will his own children lobby for?”