Federal Capital Territory Minister Explains Why He Removed PDP’s Former Chairman Uche Secondus

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike on Thursday explained why he worked to remove Prince Uche Secondus as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking at an end-of-year thanksgiving event organized by PDP stakeholders from Ahoada East and Ahoada West at Ukpata community in Ekpeye Kingdom, the minister said that Secondus had planned to replace Siminalayi Fubara as Rivers governor with his cousin, Tele Ikuru, who was a former deputy governor.

"I heard Secondus said the other day in Bori, I awarded the Bori Internal Road. I paid 50%, and thinking that we have a governor that we all agreed to continue, Secondus was saying that his enemies; who are the enemies of the governor? Secondus that refused him to be governor," he said, Punch reported.

Wike also said that Secondus had become friends with the current governor, while he and his supporters were now considered enemies. The minister criticized Celestine Omehia, calling him an "imbecile" for claiming he had not done anything for Rivers State as a minister.

The minister reminded Omehia that he was stopped from becoming the governor of Rivers through the backdoor. He also mentioned that Omehia didn't understand the role of an FCT Minister. While Wike admitted that he couldn't bring major infrastructure projects to Rivers, he emphasized that he had still been helping the people of the state.

Wike said that no governor had secured more appointments for their state than he had in President Bola Tinubu's current administration. He also responded to Celestine Omehia, calling him an "imbecile" and saying that was the reason he prevented Omehia from becoming governor.

The minister criticized Omehia for questioning what he had done for Rivers State, saying that Omehia didn't understand that he wasn't a regular minister, but the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Wike reflected on his time as the Minister of Education, saying that if Omehia had challenged him then, he could have pointed out the contributions he made to Rivers State.

As Education Minister, Wike helped bring a Faculty of Law to the University of Port Harcourt, provided grants to Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic and Ignatius Ajuru University, and renovated schools like Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, and Federal Government Girls College, Abuloma.

He emphasized that as the Minister of the FCT, he couldn't bring infrastructure projects or FCT funds to Rivers State, but he has still been helping the people of the state. Wike proudly stated that no governor had secured more political appointments for Rivers than he had under the current administration.

The minister credited President Tinubu for helping secure these appointments, challenging Omehia to recognize that Rivers people now had more political positions than when he served in government.

"Today, they thought because they have collected what you suffered for, therefore you will die of hunger. You will not die, will you die? You will not die," he added. "We have been helping Rivers people and we will continue to help Rivers people."

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Chibudum Nwuche praised Wike for his leadership in Abuja and his dedication to Rivers State's development. He highlighted Wike's success in completing long-abandoned projects in Abuja, showcasing his leadership abilities.

He also thanked Wike for the projects he initiated in Ekpeye during his time as governor and assured Wike of Ekpeye's support despite criticism. He also commended Tinubu for appointing Wike as Minister of the FCT, calling it a wise decision with positive outcomes.