Wabara turns down the Rivers governor’s request for media coverage.

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

The five-hour peace talks yesterday between Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) would have been covered by the media if the BoT’s acting Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, had not been rejected.

Wike declared his intention to allow members of the media to attend the meeting shortly after taking his seat at Government House in Port Harcourt.

The governor, who stated that he did not want to impose the offer on his visitors, turned to Wabara for advice.

“You are now my guests,” he said. Please don’t let me impose anything on you. I’ve told you exactly what I want. “However, you are my guests.”

Wabara, who appeared uneasy with the offer, immediately declined it, opting instead for a closed-door meeting and press briefing later.

The governor, who reluctantly respected his guests’ feelings and opinions, explained that he had previously desired media presence to avoid misinformation.

Wike was concerned that after their meeting in Enugu, people were speculating about the outcome, claiming they had agreed to work with opposing candidates.

“I respect elders,” he said. If that’s what you’re looking for, I’ll oblige. But that was not my frame of mind. I wanted the press to be here because so many things have been distorted, and we may not be able to explain the details to the press even if we go out.

“I believe that keeping the records straight is one of the things we must do.” People will say different things if you don’t keep them straight; for example, I heard that five governors met and agreed to work with so and so.

“These are people speculating about everything. When they arrive, however, they will hear directly from you. It provides a balanced story. But there is no problem if you say so.”