How Wike facilitated my appointment as Minister – Lokpobiri
Wike and Lokpobiri
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has revealed how the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, played a pivotal role in securing his appointment.
Speaking at an event organized by the Ijaw Peoples Congress in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday to honour Wike, Lokpobiri shared details of how the FCT Minister’s influence was instrumental in his ministerial journey.
“It is important for me to tell you, my brothers and sisters, that I stand here today as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources thanks to Nyesom Wike,” Lokpobiri said.
“You also heard the account from the MD of the NDDC, who also credited Wike for his appointment,” he added.
Lokpobiri recounted that his path to becoming a minister began in Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt and was finalized at Wike’s home in Abuja.
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“My second journey to becoming a minister started at Wike’s house in Port Harcourt and concluded in his house in Abuja. It is essential for me to acknowledge this,” he noted.
Reflecting on Wike’s generosity, Lokpobiri expressed surprise that his name had not been listed among those who had benefitted from the FCT Minister’s support.
“I thought my name, Heineken Lokpobiri, would have been included among those he has helped. But since it wasn’t, I felt the need to complete the story,” he said, emphasising Wike’s role as both a friend and ally to the Ijaw people.
“It is better to have a good friend than a bad brother,” Lokpobiri continued. “What use is a bad brother? But with a good friend like the FCT Minister, you are already blessed.”
He expressed the gratitude of the Ijaw people worldwide, thanking Wike for his support. “We Ijaw people are grateful. When you do good for us, we don’t repay with evil. We look forward to seeing you continue to uplift our people,” Lokpobiri added, pledging ongoing support for the FCT Minister’s leadership.
