BY LINUS CHIBUIKE
GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has advised former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, to be strong in the face of his current travails.
Wike said it was the norm for politicians to face persecution, especially after leaving office, noting that he was ready to face the same thing after his tenure.
He urged Okorocha, who represents Imo West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, and his family members, not to be discouraged, but keep faith in God.
Wike spoke during the dedication of Okorocha’s grandson (Uche Nwosu’s son), in Abuja.
He said he decided to move close to Okorocha because he was no longer in government, so as to learn from his experience and be used to it when it gets to his turn.
Wike also noted that he had packed out of the Rivers Government House even though he had two more years to go because he was already tired.
He said, “Political prosecution will come, especially after you have left office, so what you’re going through today is not peculiar with you and your family. I know they will come after me but I am prepared, I am ready for them.
“You should be strong and put your trust in God. I don’t stay close to people in power, particularly this kind of power, you see in life, I was looking around to see Governors, I know if Uche Nwosu was a sitting governor, you would see a lot of governors here; if Rochas was governor you would have seen a lot of governors here.
“Life is like that. For me now, I don’t even live in the government house, I have parked out, even though I still have two more years. I am tired, so I had to leave.”
He added, “Particularly again when you have a system that is not doing well, the truth must be told. Many people don’t like the truth, that is why they don’t like me. You said this is APC hall, I came here and I didn’t see any APC member. Today, I’ve converted it to Christian hall.
“The way I do my thing, nobody can stop me or tell me who can be my friend. Nobody in this country can tell me where to go, nobody. I am happy he is no longer in power, that is why I am coming close to him now, to learn the experience of those who are no longer in power, so that by the time it gets to me, I will be used to it.”
He said though Okorocha was facing a lot of crisis, his travails would be over.
“I want to encourage you and your son-in-law to be strong, if it doesn’t happen like this, you won’t know that God loves you. You will go through these battles for you to know that there is God. We have passed through these battles and we are still waiting to pass through them again,” the Rivers Governor said.
“Just like Rochas, God has given everyone his talent. When I watch your son-in-law from afar, I say you have a good son-in-law that is not arrogant, not a son-in-law that does not understand what marriage is all about. I wouldn’t have come. I will be in Imo State soon and I will tell them my mind. You should thank God,” Wike stressed.
