KEY POINTS
- Lokpobiri credits Nyesom Wike for his appointment as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
- Discussions on Lokpobiri’s appointment began and concluded at Wike’s residences in Port Harcourt and Abuja.
- Lokpobiri expressed gratitude on behalf of the Ijaw people and called for continued support from Wike.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has revealed that his appointment in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet was made possible by the influence of Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Lokpobiri disclosed this on Saturday at an event organized by the Ijaw Peoples Congress in honor of Wike, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Wike’s influence in Lokpobiri’s appointment
Lokpobiri, who previously served as the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development between 2015 and 2019, recounted the pivotal role Wike played in securing his current position.
According to Punch, he explained that the discussions about his appointment began at Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt and concluded at Wike’s home in Abuja.
“It is important to tell you, my brothers and sisters, that I am standing before you today as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources because of Nyesom Wike,” Lokpobiri said.
He also referenced a similar case with the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), noting Wike’s direct involvement in that appointment.
Lokpobiri expressed his gratitude to Wike, emphasizing that his own journey to becoming a minister started and ended with Wike’s assistance.
“My second journey of becoming a minister started at the minister’s house in Port Harcourt, and it concluded in his house in Abuja. I want you, Ijaw people, to know that we have a brother and a friend,” he stated.
A show of gratitude from the Ijaw community
Lokpobiri used the platform to express gratitude on behalf of the Ijaw people for Wike’s support, describing him as a friend and ally of the Ijaw community.
He highlighted the importance of having a reliable ally like Wike and contrasted it with the value of having 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,” Lokpobiri said.
He further stated that the Ijaw people are thankful for Wike’s actions, promising that they would always appreciate the minister’s contributions to the community.
Lokpobiri also called on Wike to continue his efforts in supporting the Niger Delta and expressed hope for more developmental strides that could benefit the region.
“We are looking forward to you doing more for our Ijaw people,” he added.
Calls for continued support and unity
During the event, other stakeholders in the Niger Delta also voiced their appreciation for Wike’s efforts. They emphasized the need for unity within the community and expressed confidence in Wike’s ability to bring about positive changes in the region.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri urged the people of the Niger Delta to remain united and support the Federal Government’s development initiatives.
He also highlighted the significant contributions made by the Ijaw people to the nation and called for continued collaboration for the progress of the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.
