Wike Lauds Abia Gov’s Show Of Friendship Over Uncle’s Demise

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has lauded the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu for his show of friendship and brotherhood at a time his family was grieving over the loss of their uncle.
The governor spoke, yesterday, during a condolence visit by the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu at the Government House, Port Harcourt over the passage of his uncle, late Chief Charles Wike.
He said: “Indeed, what you have done today shows friendship and brotherhood. It shows that what affects us, affects you. I will never forget this, and I will continue to reciprocate.”
Wike noted that the condolence visit by the Abia State governor has strengthened and encouraged his family to bear the irreparable loss.
He said: “Having died, we believe that he has gone to be with his Creator. With your coming, we are strengthened to continue with life and his own principles.
“The way he lived and kept our community is very key. I thank you on behalf of my family for coming to commiserate with us at this point.”
While thanking the Abia State governor for the visit, Wike noted that his uncle played very positive roles in the development of his community.
“My uncle was the immediate younger brother to my father. He was the traditional ruler of my community.
“He was the one most of us relied on for the history of our area. We know that one day; there will be an end to life. Nobody will live forever. But we didn’t expect him to go at this time.
“For those of us who are Christians, what has happened has happened. What is important is that you go to meet your Creator. Most of us relied on my uncle in terms of education. He was a historian. He did his own best, but as it pleased God, this happened. There is nothing anyone can do,” he said.
In his remarks, the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu said that he was at the Government House, Port Harcourt to commiserate with Governor Wike over the passage of his uncle.
He said: “I have brought warm felicitation and greetings from the good people of Abia State. On behalf of the people of Abia State, we have come this morning to commiserate with our brother and friend, who lost a very close person to him.
“It is traditional and cultural for our people to reach out to one of our own whenever events like this occur.”
He said that the late uncle of Governor Wike lived a good life and has gone to be with his Creator.
“It happens. He lived a good life and he has gone the way of his forefathers. When it happens like this, it brings a lot of pain to us, but it is harvest time for God.
“In the first place, God gave him to us. Now that he is no more, we are confident that he has gone to be with his Maker. I ask his household to bear the loss with fortitude, and pray that God will grant the immediate family and friends, the energy to fill this vacuum,” he said.
Similarly, the Rivers State leadership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has commiserated with Governor Nyesom Wike over the death of his uncle, Chief Charles Wike, saying it was saddened at the news of his demise.
The state PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah, in a statement issued by his media aide, Jerry Needam, in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said that the party was aggrieved the more, knowing the close relationship that existed between the governor and his late uncle.
The party said it was, however, consoled because Governor Wike did all within his ability to give meaning to the strong bond between him and his uncle while he lived.
Obuah expressed the hope that Wike, being a strong believer in God, will see his uncle’s death as the will of his Creator, and would continue to carry out his official duties with the usual composure and emotional stability which he is known for.
The statement reads, “While we whole-heartedly identify with His Excellency in his moment of grief as our leader and big brother, we also make bold to say that his well-cherished uncle did not die in vain, having contributed in raising one of the most courageous leaders and defender of democracy Nigeria has ever had in the person of Governor Nyesom Wike.”
The state PDP also condoled with the entire Wike family, government and entire Rivers people, enjoining all to take solace in the good works and worthy legacies left behind by late Chief Charles Wike.
“May the good Lord grant the soul of the deceased peaceful rest and to his numerous relations, the fortitude to bear the huge loss”, the statement added.