Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of betraying political allies and trying to keep power within the Ikwerre ethnic group in Rivers State.………
Speaking during an interview on SYMFONI TV, Sara-Igbe criticised moves to allegedly support another Ikwerre candidate against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is from the riverine area of the state. He argued that upland politicians had already ruled Rivers State for 24 years, including 16 years by Ikwerre leaders, and said it would be unfair for another Ikwerre politician to take over again.
Sara-Igbe said he was among those who pushed for former governor Rotimi Amaechi to become governor despite opposition from some political leaders at the time. He also claimed that Wike strongly insisted on becoming governor, leading to disagreements between them.
The elder statesman stated that he knew Wike’s political history very well because they were once close friends. According to him, when Wike accused him of being a merchant and he responded, the minister could not reply further because he was familiar with his past.
Sara-Igbe also alleged that former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife ignored warnings from elders before supporting Wike’s rise to power.
In his words, “We were very close friends, we used to be very close, I know his history from beginning to now, that’s why when he said I was a merchant and I replied him, he couldn’t say any word. Because I know him back and front.”
