Former Governor of Rivers state, Rt Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has reacted to a statement credited to former House of Representatives member, Chidi Wihioka, imputing that he denied Rivers State the opportunity of hosting Dangote Refinery because of his personal demand to the businessman before approving a land for the mega project.
An ally of Amaechi and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, who stated that the former governor gave him his position on the issue as well as permission to speak on his behalf, said Wihioka’s statement was laughable, very far from the truth.
Eze who said this in a statement made available to media houses, explained that a text from a respected son of Rivers State, counselling that Amaechi makes a statement by himself on the subject, not minding the full details and denial contained in his previous press statement on the issue, made him reach out to Amaechi who gave his position, hence necessitating this second release on the matter.
According to the APC Chieftain, the former governor explained that the Dangote Refinery in Lagos was already under construction when Dangote came to ask for land for a gas plant which he willingly obliged by showing him a befitting place opposite the Onne Seaport.
Continuing, he said that Dangote never returned to build the gas plant after he was giving land and that he never asked for anything from the businessman as wrongly peddled by Wihioka.
“The text from the former Governor reads:- “I never asked him for anything. Gave him land opposite the Onne seaport. He had already commenced construction of the refinery in Lagos but wanted land for a gas plant.”
Wihioka’s statement, Eze said shows the extent the former House of Reps member could go in stooping and indulging in bare face lies inorder rubbish the former governor’s rising profile.
Furthermore, he disclosed that he had been inundated with messages from concerned citizens reacting in furry to the baseless claim by Wihioka, , with some calling it the height of sycophancy while others say it smacks of the former lawmaker’s characteristic idleness since leaving public office.
Eze said that the floodgate of reactions condemning the unfounded claims clearly points simpliciter, that the former elder who represented Ikwerre/Emohua Constituency in the House of Representatives is struggling to revive his perpetually drowned political image by taking up a campaign of calumny against his benefactor and former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, to further the project of crashing his rapidly increasing influence, followership and generally accepted interest for the presidency in 2027.
“Angered by his displaced outburst, some Nigerians close to Wihioka, threw more light on the depraved personae of this man-about-town, particularly how he used public funds so lavishly on mistresses and women of easy virtue.
“While he held sway as Member of the House of Representatives, Chidi Wihioka was missing in action. He never uttered a word, never impacted on his constituents in any form. His bizarre performance could be linked to the fact that he dedicated his time and energy on mistresses.
“A respected Rivers elder, Chief Bob Wali, whose deep concern triggered Amaechi’s reaction reached out through a message below:
“Chief Eze, I must commend you in the matured way you handled the accusation of elder Chidi Wihioka against Amaechi on denying Dangote building a Refinery in Rivers State but such malicious allegation was supposed to be aggressively confronted by Hon. Rotimi Amaech himself, this type of allegation could tarnish somebody’s image, he needs to clear the air.
“In the same vein, I must confess that I was really shocked when I heard all that chidi was vomiting against his brother man just because of politics, must you destroy your brother’s reputation to get favor – Chief Bob Wali”.
“Below are some other reactions:
“A very close ally to the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, who wishes to remain anonymous had this to say:
“Good evening Chief, God bless you for letting the world know more about Elder Chidi Wihioka but what you didn’t disclose in your must read exposure is that he is justifying the recent contract given to him by our Principal Wike in Abuja.”
“A highly influential watcher of Rivers State politics, Dr. Green Parker in his reaction stated this:- “Chief, you didn’t mention how Chidi Wihioka was busy buying cars and building houses for his mistresses with 6.8bn naira given to him for zero pot holes in Port Harcourt by Amaechi during his tenure as a Governor.”
“Alh. Abdullah reacted thus:-
“Thanks so much Chief Eze, the Pen Oracle of our time. In my own opinion the general public is seriously waiting for your reply to this stomach infrastructure, useless and hopeless individual called Chidi Wihioka. Meanwhile the two were important to attend to but please take that first option and deal with that corrupt, bandit and criminal human being called Chidi before the next option. Thanks”.
“Barr. Chizy Enyi, who loves to tread where the lions are afraid to pass reacted as expected this:- “Chidi Wihioka and lies are 5 & 6. No wonder he has joined those who almost killed him and his supporters between 2013 and 2016 here in Rivers State”
“Double Chief Amadi was a bit direct in his reaction.According to this fearless leader who knew Chidi Wihioka in and out, wrote- “Good. Let me share. U can imagine elder whose only achievement was buying a car gift for a lady who was his Secretary and could not give account of Ikwerre agricultural loan of 126m.”
“Hon. Madu Israel, in his reaction highlighted:- “Elder Wihioka fall hand big time. Amaechi met him as a teacher with CAS now Polytechnics. Amaechi created road maintenance agency, made him the Head and released billions for a start. He later assisted him to secure HOR seat. Even if you don’t work with him, decency and good character demand you ingratiate such good. Amaechi attended his Child dedication in his small staff quarters. Such humility by a governor should be eternally rewarded.”
“Mikali Folarin was full of sadness about how Amaechi is rewarded for his good deeds towards his people. He stated:l – “He be like say is a curse on Ikwerre people to always bring their own brother down just for them to see appointment or get job somewhere. Livingstone did the same when buhari appointed Amaechi as a Minister. They use Senate to frustrate the man with lies. After the same man came out and beg Amaechi for forgiveness for what he had done to him. Now because Amaechi wants to come out for President again, they begin to lie against the man again. Ikwere people shame on you people.”
“Prof. Bassey, following the thought of Mr. Folarin reacted this way:- “Chief, I may keep repeating these lines but no regret in my outburst and disdain for irresponsible political class who Amaechi gave a window in politics and political appointments but turned around to condemn who made them beats me hollow.
“Is it that they are so broke that they will compromise conscience for money? Honestly I resent these pack and question if good men don’t exist? nobody can wish away the esteem law of karma. It will visit them someday .watch out,it may be delayed but not denied.you can see why decent elites distance themselves from Nigerian politics bc its down to thuggery, godfatherism and money.”
“To Prof Solomon Bassey who is a bit confused of the type of devious characters that Amaechi surrounds himself with lamented, “Chief, I may keep repeating these lines but no regret in my outburst and disdain for irresponsible political class who Amaechi gave a window in politics and political appointments but turn around to condemn who made them beats me hollow.
“Is it that they are so broke that they will compromise conscience for money? Honestly I resent these pack and question if good men don’t exist? nobody can wish away d esteem law of karma.it will visit them someday. Watch out, it may be delayed but not denied.you can see why decent elites distance themselves from Nigerian politics bc its down to thuggery, godfatherism and money.”
“Prof Kingsley Obasi took a different dimension in his reaction thus:- “Chief Eze, you have done very well for Amaechi but please do ask these ingrates to explain this to me. They will link Amaechi to the one they claim that fled, but are they crediting him for the ones that went well such as bringing NLNG hq from Lagos to PH, bringing biggest branch of Songhai Farms to Rivers, attempting to bring 2 armoured helicopters that would have ended oil attack, attempting to build the biggest city East of the Niger as Greater PH City, bringing World Book Capital to PH, Etc. And in their madness and shortsightedness, have they castigated those who took away Rivers oil wells that has made the state now 3rd? Those who stopped Train 7 for yewrs?Those who scared away NLNG Dry Dock project and many more. The erudite Prof concluded by stating, “Let people tell correct and complete accounts to shame the devil.”
“In concluding this segment of the expose on the poorly-mannered and characterless Elder, Eze cited the mind of a pragmatic Civil Society Leader, Dr. Jackson Omenazu who reacted thus:-
“Chief Eze, Unfortunately those who wish that the sun will not rise due to heavy early morning cloudy rain will be surprised that nature has its own timing which no one can stop.
Good deeds are protective ornaments to the soul and body. It gives one clear road to travel on the plains of valley unscratched. Ameachi’s benevolent spirit will always shield him from those he once aided to rise. These attacks are a sharpener to his mind and they’re welcomed.”
Eze noted that though he is not against anyone leaving Amaechi, he will descend on anyone who was once fed or assisted by Amaechi but now elects to disparage him for no reason(s) rather to curry favor from his political adversaries.
