The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area in Rivers State, Hon. Samuel Nwanosike, has credited Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for playing a pivotal role in Rotimi Amaechi’s emergence as governor of Rivers State in 2007.
In a recent interview with News Central, Nwanosike revisited the turbulent political period leading to Amaechi’s assumption of office, asserting that without Wike’s personal sacrifices and relentless determination, Amaechi would not have achieved his gubernatorial ambition.
“Let me make it clear if not for Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Rotimi Amaechi wouldn’t have been governor. This is not speculation; it’s a matter of historical record,” Nwanosike stated.
According to the Ikwerre council boss, Wike went as far as mortgaging his personal property to fund Amaechi’s legal battle. He noted that during the legal and political storm that surrounded the 2007 elections, Amaechi fled Nigeria while under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). During that period, Wike took charge of defending Amaechi’s mandate and kept the political structure intact back home.
“At the time, the EFCC was pursuing Amaechi, and he had to leave Nigeria. He was completely absent from the scene and was even considering a diplomatic posting to China under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration. But it was Wike who kept the hope alive,” Nwanosike explained.
He further revealed that former Governor Peter Odili attempted to convince Wike and others to abandon Amaechi’s case in favor of Celestine Omehia, who had already been sworn in as governor. Despite the pressure, the group, led by Wike, insisted on fighting to reclaim what they believed was Amaechi’s rightful mandate.
“We were told to let it go because our brother, Omehia, had already become governor. But we said no. It wasn’t about sentiment it was about justice. Wike spearheaded the legal challenge that went all the way to the Supreme Court, which eventually ruled in Amaechi’s favor,” he recounted.
Nwanosike also emphasized that Amaechi was largely uninvolved in the legal process and that Wike took full responsibility for filing court cases, hiring lawyers, and managing the legal team.
“Amaechi himself admitted it he said in church that people should thank God for the life of Nyesom Wike. He knew nothing about the court filings or legal strategies; it was Wike who handled everything,” he added.
The Supreme Court judgment in October 2007 remains a landmark in Nigeria’s political history. It not only annulled the governorship of Omehia but also declared Amaechi who had not contested the general election due to intra-party issues as the rightful winner of the PDP primary and, by extension, the governorship seat.
Nwanosike’s statements underscore the deep-rooted political relationship and history between Wike and Amaechi, which has since turned into rivalry, especially following their split and opposing roles in Rivers politics and at the national level.
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