Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Friday, said his coming to Abuja reminded him of his defeat during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries held on May 28 at Eagle Square.
Wike made this known at a book launch in Abuja.
The book titled, ‘Flowing Justice: Selected Leading Judgments of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court’, was authored by Justice Abdu Aboki (Rtd.) and unveiled by Governor Wike.
Wike said: “I want to once again congratulate My Lord, Hon Justice Abdu Aboki JSC for giving me this opportunity to be here and to be the chief launcher.
“But why I said My Lord did not do well is because if he had held this in Lagos or Kano, I would have been happy.”
Wike stated that when he arrived in Abuja and sighted the Eagle Square, he recalled the presidential poll experience.
“When I landed and then passed through the venue (Eagle Square), I said I think My Lord intentionally wanted me to remember 28 and 29 of May of what happened.
“Well, but life continues. Today is my first time of coming to Abuja after losing election,” the governor said.
He said unlike Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who had visited Abuja for a number of time even after losing the All Progressives (APC) presidential primaries, he had remained in Rivers State.
“I am not like Yahaya Bello who lost and he comes (to Abuja) everyday,” he added.
Governor Wike further hailed Justice Aboki’s commitment to protection of justice and rule of law, saying: “Justice Aboki is a consummate jurist who has left his name indelibly in the sands of time and judicial history.
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“While judges are of different social, economic and political persuasion, Honourable Justice Abdu Aboki prides himself among the progressive rank that stands up to what is right and just, and believes that the law and the constitution, as interpreted and enforced by the court must both protect and advance the unity and wellbeing of the nation and her citizens.”
Responding, Governor Bello said among the governors in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, both Wike and himself are different.
He, however, commended Justice Aboki for his immense guidance to him and his government in Kogi State, and prayed God to continue to preserve his life.
Bello noted that though it might seem the country was currently troubled, “no democracy can be perfected as we have it today in the U.S without encountering challenges.”
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, emerged the presidential candidate in the primary that was conducted in Abuja on May 28 by the party.
Before voting began, one of the aspirants and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, stepped down from the race and asked his supporters to vote for Atiku.
Atiku polled 371 votes to defeat his main challenger, Governor Wike, who scored 237 votes.
Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, came a distant third with 70 votes, while Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, and his counterpart in Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Mohammed, scored 38 votes and 20 votes, respectively.
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