After what seemed like intractable differences resulting in name calling and a lot of bad blood, Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike, and his Ebonyi State counterpart, Engr. Dave Umahi, have reconciled and decided to team up. They made up over the weekend at Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Even though the details are sketchy, Umahi was overheard saying that “blood is thicker than water”.
The reconciliation, which has taken political observers by surprise, was consummated when Umahi paid a nocturnal visit to Wike at his private residence in the Garden City on Saturday, June 17, 2022.
Governor Umahi arrived on what he called “a friendly and brotherly” visit at 9pm.
It was Umahi’s first meeting with Wike after the former dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the federal-ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following an alleged dissatisfaction with the main opposition party.
Umahi’s defection had stirred anger in Wike, a pillar of PDP. The duo had been good friends before the departure of Umahi to APC set them at each other’s throats.
Incidentally, both contested the presidential primaries of their parties but lost, after which rumours of Wike’s allegedly impending defection started making the rounds – which he has, however, dismissed, pledging his allegiance to PDP. The rumours resurfaced after Wike was dropped at the last minute by PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who chose Delta State Governor Ifenyi Okowa as his running mate for the 2023 election.
Meanwhile, Governor Umahi has felicitated with all men on the occasion of Fathers’ Day.
A statement issued Sunday morning by his Special Adviser on Strategy, Chooks Oko, said: “The executive governor of Ebonyi state, Engr. David Nweze Umahi heartily felicitate all men in Ebonyi state and the nation at large on this year’s FATHERS’ DAY celebration.
“Being a father is a blessing from above and the performance of the associated duties a divine calling he notes, and enjoins God to strengthen His children to give their best, always.
“Engr. Umahi particularly salutes the men of Ebonyi state for their strong show of character, honesty and trustworthiness at all times. He prays God to keep blessing them as they struggle daily to give their families a unique identity promising to always make them proud at all times.
“He hopes the day will afford many the opportunity to commune with God and resolve to do good at all times.
“He called for moderate celebrations and a complete alignment with the ideals of peaceful coexistence and good neighborliness.”
