Asukuwe Ikoawaji, a member of the Rivers State Elders Forum, claimed on Monday that Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is not Rivers State’s king.
The statement came after the former Rivers State governor declared that when the time comes, the people will know who is in power and who is not.
Wike made the statement on Saturday while meeting the National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Victor Giadom, sparking suspicion about another round of political realignments.
“Forget about these hungry noisemakers on the road. When the time comes, we will know who is in charge and who is not in charge. There is a time for everything.
“This is not time for politics. When the time comes, we will know who is who. If you like, abuse me as you want. If you like, employ everybody on social media. I have never bothered myself one day to know who is abusing me.
“Politics will come. We didn’t contest elections based on social media. We spoke to the people; they listened and believed in us,” Wike said.
However, while featuring on Arise Television’s Morning programme on Monday, Ikoawaji said Wike is not the political king of Rivers State, insisting that nobody is in charge.
“It’s not true. And I’m saying it with all amount of authority, Wike is not the political king of Rivers State.
“Life is turn by turn. If you think today is your turn, tomorrow will be another person’s turn.
“There was a time people talk more than anybody that is talking today. But where are they today?
“Everybody has a right to say what he wants to say; in Nigeria you have a freedom of speech. But when the time comes, like I have said in a previous interview, the Rivers people will decide.
“Nobody today can say ‘I own Rivers State’.
“The Rivers people will decide when the time comes, no single person amongst six million Rivers people can say ‘I am in charge’. Nobody is in charge. Everybody has a right to say what he wants to say. This is a democracy.”