SAN FRANCISCO, May 26, (THEWILL) – The immediate past governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi, has announced his rejection of an award reserved for him by his successor, Nyesom Wike, as one of those who contributed to the development of the state in its 50 years of existence.
Amaechi, now the minister of Transportation, is among prominent Rivers sons and daughters to be bestowed with awards today – Saturday as part of celebrations marking the Golden jubilee of the creation of Rivers state.
But in a statement issued by his media office, Amaechi said he would not accept the award, explaining that though he has been publicised as one of those to be awarded, he was yet to receive any communication from Wike or the state government in that regard.
The statement added that the reigning Rivers governor has made the abuse and denigration of Amaechi his one-point agenda, wondering the basis upon which Wike would now be honouring his immediate predecessor.
It reads, “The minister (Amaechi) was shown a publication of the Rivers State Government indicating his name as one of many others to be given awards by Nyesom Wike. But as of today, Amaechi has not received any communication from Nyesom Wike and/or Rivers State Government in this respect.
“Be that as it may, we want to state categorically that whatever Wike claims to be giving to Amaechi is a poisoned chalice that has been unequivocally rejected by the minister.
“First, the purported award itself is a contradiction of monumental proportions, a contradiction that can only come from a warped and perverted mind. From day one as governor, Wike has made it his sole, one-point agenda to attack, abuse, insult and falsely denigrate Amaechi, his immediate predecessor and erstwhile benefactor.
“Since he became governor, Wike spends most of his time making reckless, deeply irresponsible malicious, false allegations against Amaechi, as he attempts, albeit fruitlessly, to malign and destroy the outstandingly superb performance and legacy of Amaechi in Rivers State.
“So, what is the basis or criterion for Wike to give an award/honour to a man he (Wike) has rashly attacked and called all sorts of unprintable names in the past two years?”
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