A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has criticized Rivers elder statesman, Anabs Sara Igbe, over attempts to compare Nyesom Wike and Rotimi Amaechi.
Eze argued that there is no basis for such a comparison, maintaining that history and posterity have remained favourable to Amaechi for his contributions to the development, peace and unity of Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region.
Sara Igbe had earlier pointed to what he described as a clear difference between Amaechi and Wike in terms of attracting federal appointments for their associates and why people of the Niger Delta might not support Amaechi’s presidential ambition.
He also stated that Wike, currently serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has been able to attract several opportunities for individuals aligned with him.
Reacting to the comments, Eze described the comparison between the two former governors as attention seeking and a weak narrative.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the APC chieftain questioned why a respected son of Rivers State would attempt to draw such a comparison.
“I respect Elder Sara Igbe, but I want him to know that you cannot twist history, no matter how hard you try to be evasive.
“Light and darkness are two parallel lines that cannot intersect. Can you compare light and darkness? Certainly, the answer is no. So, it’s out of place to attempt to compare Amaechi and Wike.
“It beats my imagination that somebody will use personal aggrandizement, and hope for appointments to family members and cronies as a yardstick to draw comparison,” Eze stated.
He further faulted Sara Igbe’s position, noting that the comparison is fundamentally flawed since Wike once served as Chief of Staff to Amaechi when the latter was Governor of Rivers State.
“The same Amaechi nominated Wike to President Goodluck Jonathan, to be appointed as Minister of Education (State).
“If not for Amaechi’s humane, good heart, kind and calm nature, Nyesom Wike could not have reached the political zenith he is assumed to have achieved in his political journey so far,” the APC chieftain said.
