PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: A public affairs commentator and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, on Tuesday criticised Rivers elder statesman, Anabs Sara-Igbe, for drawing a comparison between two former governors of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Barr. Nyesom Wike.
Eze argued that there is no basis for such a comparison, insisting that history and posterity have consistently favoured Amaechi for what he described as his immense contributions to the development, peace and unity of Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region.
Sara-Igbe had earlier highlighted what he termed a noticeable difference between the two leaders in terms of attracting federal appointments for their associates, suggesting that Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, had succeeded in creating opportunities for individuals aligned with him.
Reacting to the comments in a statement, Eze, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described Sara-Igbe’s remarks as an attention-seeking narrative aimed at testing public reaction to Wike’s leadership style.
The APC chieftain questioned why a respected elder from Rivers State would attempt to compare both leaders, maintaining that their political records and leadership styles are fundamentally different.
“I respect Elder Sara-Igbe, but history cannot be twisted. Light and darkness are two parallel lines that cannot intersect. It is therefore out of place to compare Amaechi and Wike,” Eze said.
He argued that measuring leadership by the ability to secure appointments for family members and associates was misplaced, insisting that such a yardstick does not reflect genuine leadership impact.
While expressing regret over engaging in public exchanges with Sara-Igbe, whom he described as an elder he respects in Niger Delta politics, Eze said any attempt to cast aspersions on Amaechi would naturally attract his response.
“As much as I respect him for his role in Rivers politics, attempting to compare Amaechi with Wike is baseless, unacceptable and unfortunate,” he stated.
Eze maintained that both leaders are poles apart in their approach to governance, adding that Wike himself once served under Amaechi during the latter’s tenure as governor of Rivers State.
According to him, Amaechi played a significant role in Wike’s political rise, including recommending him to former President Goodluck Jonathan for appointment as Minister of State for Education.
“If not for Amaechi’s goodwill and political support, Wike may not have reached the level he has attained today,” Eze claimed.
The APC stalwart further argued that several political appointments and opportunities enjoyed by Rivers State indigenes at the federal level were facilitated by Amaechi during his time in government.
He cited the appointments and emergence of political figures such as Senator Magnus Abe, Senator Andrew Uchendu and several federal and state lawmakers from Rivers State as examples of Amaechi’s influence in advancing the state’s political interests.
Eze also referenced appointments involving prominent Rivers indigenes in federal agencies and institutions, including the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and diplomatic postings.
According to him, these opportunities opened doors for many sons and daughters of Rivers State to secure employment and political appointments.
He also maintained that Amaechi’s tenure as Minister of Transportation earned national recognition, including the “Minister of the Decade” award by ThisDay newspaper.
Eze further dismissed claims that Amaechi failed to bring development to Rivers State, accusing Wike of dismantling several programmes and policies initiated during Amaechi’s administration.
The outspoken commentator also rejected suggestions that Amaechi’s presidential ambition would lack support in the Niger Delta, stating that the outcome of such aspirations ultimately lies in the hands of God.
“Whether Amaechi becomes president or not is in God’s hands. No individual can determine that if God has approved it,” he said.
Eze, however, acknowledged Sara-Igbe’s broader point that political power is often expected to translate into opportunities for loyal followers, noting that many politicians rely on such appointments to strengthen their networks and consolidate their political base.
