Why I Will Never Forgive Wike - Amaechi Speaks

The Outgoing governor of  Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, on Wednesday fired what seemed to be another salvo at the state Governor-elect, Chief Nyesom Wike, ahead of the Friday’s inauguration.

Amaechi, who declared that he would not forgive or settle the feud between him and Wike, unless justice was seen to have been done, had on Tuesday accused the governor-elect of being behind the deaths recorded in the state during the general elections. Wike had denied the allegation.

The governor made this declaration during his 50th birthday thanksgiving service at the Corpus Christi Cathedral in Port Harcourt, while reacting to the plea by the Catholic Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Camillus Etokudoh, that both politicians (Amaechi and Wike) should reconcile their differences in the interest of the people.

Amaechi, who agreed that the views of the bishop in a Catholic church should not be opposed, maintained that justice must come before forgiveness, adding that those that were killed during the general elections and their families must get justice.

Amaechi expressed surprise that the bishop congratulated Wike on his victory during the governorship election in the state, even as he called on the church to join the All Progressives Congress in praying that the party reclaimed its mandate.

He pointed out that the mandate of the APC in the state must be reclaimed at the election petition tribunal before any reconciliation could be embraced.

“My Lordship talked about forgiveness. In the Catholic Church you don’t oppose the views of your bishop. His words represent an order. If you oppose him you may be barred from taking Holy Communion.

“You are not a true Catholic if you don’t receive the Holy Communion. But Your Lordship, the same Catholic doctrine also states that justice comes before forgiveness.

“All those that were killed during the last general elections must get justice. Their families must get justice. Our party, the All Progressives Congress, must get justice first at the petition election tribunal. Our mandate must be retrieved at the tribunal.

“I am surprised that My Lordship congratulated Nyesom Wike here today. I am using this opportunity to call on the Church to join the APC in praying to God so that we can reclaim our mandate.

“Reclaiming our mandate at the election petition tribunal will represent a measure of justice. We must seek justice before reconciliation,” the governor stressed.