How Wike helped me secure appointment into Tinubu’s cabinet – Minister

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has shared the story of how the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, played a significant role in his appointment as the Petroleum Minister.

Lokpobiri expressed gratitude for Wike’s assistance and support, which were instrumental in his elevation to the ministerial position.

Disclosing this on Saturday at an event organised in honour of Wike by the Ijaw Peoples Congress in Port Harcourt, Lokpobiri opined: “It is important to tell you, my brothers and sisters, that me that is standing before you today as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources was also made possible by Nyesom Wike. You also heard the account of the MD of the NDDC, who said that the minister of the FCT played a direct role in his appointment.

“My own case could have been a more direct role. Some of you may not know. It all started in Wike’s house in Port Harcourt, and it all concluded in his house in Abuja. My second journey of becoming a minister started at the minister’s house in Port Harcourt, and it concluded in his house in Abuja. It is important for me to complete this history.

“Because when I was looking at the welcome address, our names were not included among those who have benefitted from his benevolence. I thought that my name, Heineken Lokpobiri, would have been included amongst those that he has helped. But since my name is not included, I have to complete it. I want you, Ijaw people, to know that we have a brother and a friend.

“It is always better to have a good friend than to have a bad brother. Of what use is a bad brother? It is of no use. But if you have a good friend, such as the FCT minister, you are already blessed.

“Your Excellency, the FCT minister, let me on behalf of the Ijaw people all over the world, express our gratitude to you for your show of love to Ijaw people. We Ijaw people are very grateful people. If you do us good, we will not pay you back with evil. So, we will always be grateful to you for what you have done for our Ijaw people. We are looking forward to you doing more for our Ijaw people.”

Vanguard had reported how Wike bragged that his enemies put together cannot fight him. He narrated how he helped Ijaw people secure good position in the political arena.

His words: “It is not true that Ijaw people are fighting me. A father may have twelve children, one can be an armed robber. These people that are going to television to attack me, where were they when we made an Ijaw governor? Nobody is fighting me. I am too big. Far too big for anybody to fight. All these people put together cannot fight me.

“I told them if you put your hand in Rivers state matter, fire will burn you. Today, they are crying everywhere. Instead of them to concentrate on how to win election in their states, they were busy having meetings in Enugu and Taraba states. Who is losing now”.