An Elder Statesman and Ijaw Leader, PA Edwin Clark has alleged that they convinced the Former President Good luck Jonathan to appoint Nyesom Wike as minister despite his poor conduct under the then governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi.
He stated how Wike transitioned to a central role, becoming the Minister of State for Education. He noted that by shifting Wike to a ministerial role, they aimed to mitigate the difficulties he presented while maintaining a semblance of political unity and cooperation in the Niger Delta.
He said in an interview with Punch, ''As the Chief of Staff to Amaechi, Wike became very difficult. So, we decided to get rid of him. But we talked to Jonathan to make him a minister without telling him that he was not a good kid. That is how it is. Wike came to the centre as a minister of state for Education while Amal Peple became the minister of Housing. So that was what happened at that time.''