The issue of godfatherism is not new to Nigerian Politics. Current president Bola Tinubu has always single handedly decides who emerges as governor of Lagos state after completing his two terms
Raji Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode were recipients of Tinubu”s dose of godfatherism with Ambode swept aside and yet to recover since then.
Former NLC President turned politician tried it in Edo state but failed. His protege Godwin Obaseki had other plans and they worked for him.
Enter Nyeson Woke”s Rivers state. For eight years he held sway in the oil rich state. Nearly six months after handing over to his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory tried to impeach him.
Nearly all the members of the House of Assembly are Wike’s boys and they nearly pulled it off but for divine intervention.
In this report Ekweanaedo News takes you down memory lane to brings you comments by the then Rivers state governor Nyeson Wike reacting to the crisis rocking Lagos state over issues of godfatherism between Bola Tinubu and Akinwunmi Ambode who was governor of Lagos state t that time. The incident happened in 2018.
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As the political drama in Lagos state lingers, Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike has advised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to call the bluff of his godfather, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, Wike said: “If it is true that the godfather is against Ambode, I will tell him (Ambode) to resist it. I will tell him to promote the interest of his state.
Godfatherism is not good. It negates development. No more godfather politics in Rivers state. We are not in Lagos state. Rivers state will not accept godfatherism. My concern is to do well for Rivers state.
For the over three years that we have managed Rivers State, nobody of good conscience will say that we have not done well. We are not threatened because in Rivers state, PDP is a dominant party,” he said.
He also declared that he will not be vying for the position of vice president, as being speculated in certain quarters.
Governor Wike agreed that some presidential aspirants seeking his support have offered him the position in the course of political consultations.
Speaking in an interview with The Osasu Show at the Government House Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said: “There are aspirants who have promised me the position of the vice president, but I said I will not seek the position. Not even in the dream will I seek that position at this point. I am a first term governor and the National Chairman of PDP is from my State and the South-South.
“These are mere allegations. People can carry rumours, but everything I will do will be in the interest of Rivers State. Nobody can use Rivers State as a tool. They did that in the past, but not anymore.”
He said the decision to host the October 5 National Convention in Port Harcourt was initiated without his knowledge, adding that he eventually attended a meeting where governors and presidential aspirants ratified the resolution.
He expressed surprise that a few presidential aspirants, who never opposed the decision have turned around to sponsor reports against the venue of the convention.
