Abati’s Statement Against Gov Wike Irresponsible – Rivers Govt

The Rivers State Government, on Wednesday, condemned veteran journalist, Reuben Abati, over his verbal attack on the state Governor, Nyesom Wike.

The media aide to Governor Wike, Kelvin Ebiri, said he expected that Abati would comport himself while performing his duties as a journalist in such manner as to maintain the dignity of the profession.

According Eburu, instead of Abati to comport himself, he delighted himself in maligning Governor Wike.

Governor Wike’s aide described Abati’s statement against his principal as irresponsible, scurrilous and infantile.

He condemned the veteran journalist for not reaching out to Governor Wike before glorifying the interview of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar.

Recall that Arise TV interviewed Atiku, where he claimed that he did not ignore Wike as his running mate, but stated that the committee set up to suggest the party’s vice presidential candidate, presented him with three names.

Ebiri said Abati should have reached out to Governor Wike to balance his story if he is interested in the truth.

He wondered if the Arise TV journalist is practising journalism if he is not interested in the truth.

Speaking on the comment of Abati where he said Governor Wike does not have the intellectual capacity to debate with him, Ebiri said Abati did not gain knowledge with what he was taught in class but due to experience gathered over time.

He further stated that experience does not give him the right to insult the Governor of Rivers State.

The media aide called on Abati to learn to value the positions and opinions of other people according to their merits.

Ebiri added, “To this end, it may interest him to know that before joining active politics, Governor Wike, already had two degrees in Political Administration and Law, respectively. Hence, the governor’s intellectual acumen cannot be questioned by him.

“Governor Wike was Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State between 1999 and 2007. During this period, he served as Deputy President, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, in 2004 and was later elected the President of ALGON.

“He was also an African representative in the Commonwealth Local Governments Forum.”