Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, are trading words about the governance of the state and the outcome of Monday’s sitting of the National Industrial Court (NIC).
Wike, in a statement by his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, accused Peterside of misleading the public about what happened at the court.
He said the APC candidate was at a radio station to announce that the court had reinstated the 22 local government chairmen sacked by the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt.
But Peterside, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Sylvester Asoya, said Wike’s attack was “unwarranted and unfortunate”.
The APC candidate said he could not have kept quiet seeing the direction Wike was taking the state.
Wike said: “It is disheartening that Peterside only sees Rivers State as his source to power and influence and not a community where the people deserve peace, development and good governance. Otherwise, Peterside would not have returned to beat the drums of war.
“But for Peterside, he must realise that his new found boldness, premised on his belief that he can rely on the powers that be to protect him as he attempts to unleash falsehood, will be short-lived.”
Peterside’s statement reads: “No one was actually surprised that Wike’s aide struggled in vain to justify the stolen mandate his principal parades. But he did a grave disservice to Rivers people when he chose to misinform and mislead them with his baseless allegations against Peterside.
“But it is important to remind Nwakaudu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that whenever they flash their bogus claim to victory at the April 11 governorship election, they remind Rivers people of the inglorious role of Wike’s godmother, the former First Lady, and the anguish they imposed on them when their armed supporters laid siege to Rivers towns and communities.
“Sadly, the incompetence and double-speak are already too obvious in government circles; it would amount to serious injustice on the people, if Peterside, a leader, had kept mute.
“Even among thieves, there should be some level of honour. I think Nwakaudu, his principal, Wike, and people like them should be reminded again that there should be a limit to name-calling, desperation and mudslinging.
“Freedom of expression is an inalienable right and everybody has a right to air his or her views on issues of common concern. Rather than shadow-chasing and name-calling, Wike should defend himself with facts and figures on the weighty issues raised by Dr. Peterside.”
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