Wike’s loyalists to shut down Rivers in grand celebration of his birthday

Some close loyalists, associates and friends of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, have disclosed plans to shut down Rivers, particularly Port Harcourt, the capital city, in grand celebration of the birthday of the immediate past governor of the state.

The group NEW Associates, a new political movement coined from the first letters of the minister’s names, Nyesom, Ezenwo Wike, was said to have decided to use the occasion to make a strong statement on what they referred to as Wike’s indisputable political leadership of Rivers amidst the ongoing crisis in the state.

Information reaching our correspondent has it that new groups and movements would be on parade on Friday at different venues across the state to celebrate the birth anniversary of the former Rivers Governor.

The New Associates is said to be leading preparations for the celebrations, which also have other groups such as Wikematic Youths, Wikematic Women, Rivers Ijaw Progressive Congress (RIPCO) among others mobilising for the event.

It was learnt that Wike’s political associates, loyalists and friends in the country and abroad would fly into Rivers to identify with the programme.

Convener of the New Associates, Senator George Thompson Sekibo, said numerous supporters of the minister were excitedly waiting to mark the day adding that a public lecture titled, Pragmatic Strides of a Visionary Leader and Contemporary Issues of Society would herald the celebration.

The former senator said the day would also be used to unveil the footprints of the minister in various political positions he had occupied from the state to the national level.

Senibo identified the Senate President as the Special Guest of Honour; a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), OCJ Okocha as the Special Guest of Honour and Guest Lecturer as Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

He said: “The forthcoming birthday is unique in the sense that despite all efforts of the betrayers, the minister has been able to keep our political family in Rivers intact. He remains the indisputable leader of Rivers politics.

“He has survived all the machinations of the devil and our leader by the grace of God continues to wax strong. We are calling on the numerous supporters of our leader to attend the event”.