Rivers At 50: I Will Not Accept Wike’s ‘Poisoned’ Award – Amaechi
Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, will not accept the award slated to be given to him by Governor Nyesom Wike, his media office has said.
Amaechi, who stated that he “unequivocally rejected” the prize, further described it as a “poisoned chalice”.
“The purported award itself is a contradiction of monumental proportions, a contradiction that can only come from a warped and perverted mind,” Mr. Amaechi said in a statement on Friday.
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“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 are the bases or criteria 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?”
According to the minister, Rivers people would find his action untenable if he decides to go ahead and collect the award.
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Meanwhile, Mr. Wike immediately welcomed the rejection, describing it as “a huge moral relief for the administration, and the people of the state”.
The River State government had prepared a list of 29 honourees as part of events to mark its golden jubilee anniversary.
Mr. Amaechi’s was on the list which includes, former Nigerian leaders Goodluck Jonathan and Yakubu Gowon. Late activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, would also be honoured posthumously.
