I have no personal problems with Amaechi - Wike

Governor Wike (left) and former governor, Amaechi (right)

– Governor Nyesom Wike and his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi recently resolved their political differences but analysts still believe that the war is not yet over

– Wike, while speaking to editors in Port Harcourt, explained that the battle was not political but had to do with political differences

Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, has said his his quarrel with Rotimi Amaechi, the transport minister, is not personal, but because they both have different political understandings.

Wike said this on Friday, August 5, 2016 at the 12 All Nigeria Editors conference holding in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Amaechi was the governor of the state while Wike was education minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Their political battle actually resulted in serious tension in the state before and even after the 2015 general election.

“There is nothing personal. We differ politically because we belong to different political politics.

“We want peace in the state and it is my desire to ensure that the state is peaceful,” he said adding that Jonathan did something special to ensure peace in the country by conceding defeat during the 2015 general election.

He said: “Jonathan should be commended for this single act. People should emulate this move to ensure peace in the country,” adding that Amaechi was his boss as governor and they had good times serving the state.

“We should make sacrifices for peace. The state must move on. We only differ politically and that should not be to the level that will destroy the state,” Wike said while canvassing for peace and unity in the state and country.

Amaechi claims he brought Wike to limelight by appointing his own chief of staff while he was governor of Rivers state. He also nominated Wike into Jonathan’s cabinet.

But the battle began between the duo the moment Amaechi disagreed with Patience Jonathan, wife of the former president accused of wanting to unseat the governor.

At a time, the battle sometimes degenerated into chaos with then police commissioner, Joseph Mbu, allegedly vowing to make the state ungovernable for Amaechi.

The state was actually ungovernable leading to Wike’s victory. However, the effect of political battle has continued to plague the state.

They recently resolved their differences but political analysts believe that this is just for a while.