Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has recalled how he was charged with murder and armed robbery before he became Obio/Akpo Council Chairman.
Wike said his journey to becoming the Local Government Chairman was not an easy one as he was subjected to court cases.
The Governor, who is contesting for the 2023 presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said this when he appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“I contested election to be Obio/Akpo local government Chairman In 1998/9, and by the Grace of God I won,” Wike said.
“Obio/Akpo LGA is…people say one of the richest but I don’t want to use the word richest, [I rather say]one of the very most popular local governments the entire country cannot even do without…
“A very important LG. So, you cannot preside over this important Local Government with all these major stakeholders of the economy and security of the nation…for you to preside over such then you know what Nigeria is all about.
“But before I became the Council Chairman it wasn’t easy because it is local government with so many interests both from Indigenes and those who are not from that area.
“For record purposes, I was the first person to become a Chairman that the Supreme Court had to affirm. It’s not a where anybody can be Chairman. No. It’s not correct.
“Because you have several interests Indigenous and from outside …it took me to go to Supreme Court to become the Chairman of the Council and I passed a lot of hurdles.
“I was charged for murder …I don’t know if you understand me? I was charged for armed robbery. So it’s not something that you think, oh, he just became a local government Chairman it wasn’t easy for me…”