An Elder Statesman and Ijaw Leader, Pa Edwin Clark, alleged that they persuaded former President Goodluck Jonathan to appoint Nyesom Wike as a minister despite his poor conduct under the then-governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi.
Clark explained how Wike transitioned to a central role, becoming the Minister of State for Education. He noted that by shifting Wike to a ministerial position, they aimed to mitigate the difficulties he presented while maintaining a semblance of political unity and cooperation in the Niger Delta.
( Photo credit : The Punch Newspaper Verified Facebook Page )
In an interview with Punch, Clark recounted that Wike had become very difficult as Amaechi's Chief of Staff. To address this, they decided to remove him from his position by convincing Jonathan to appoint him as a minister, without revealing Wike's problematic behavior. This maneuver resulted in Wike becoming the Minister of State for Education while Amal Pepple became the Minister of Housing, thus resolving the issue at that time.
( Photo credit : The Punch Newspaper Verified Facebook Page )
During an interview on The Punch, he remarked, ''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.''