Rainbow Coalition Reception: Allow Senator Uchendu To Rest, Engr. Chika Appeals To Hon. Wike
Brother to a former Rivers State Senator, Mr. Andrew Uchendu, has appealed to the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Hon. Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike to allow the former lawmaker and an elder statesman to rest.
Engr. Chika Uchendu
In a press release personally signed by Engr. Chika Uchendu and made available to Nigerian MomentumNews, the former Senator’s brother said: “I wish to express my deep concern over the recent public exchange involving my senior brother, father and mentor, Distinguished Senator (Ohna) Andrew Uchendu, OON, at Omagwa.
“The incident occurred on the same day the former Governor of Rivers State and former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON, buried his mother at Ubima, an event that attracted political leaders, traditional rulers, dignitaries and people from different parts of Nigeria.
“It is against this backdrop that I find the public confrontation involving my elder brother deeply unfortunate and unnecessary. A solemn occasion meant to honour the departed should not become an avenue for political attacks or personal exchanges.
“I, therefore, wish to respectfully appeal to the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, to allow my elder brother to rest and to refrain from further public exchanges with him.
“Distinguished Senator (Ohna) Andrew Uchendu, OON, grew from grass to grace. He rose from humble beginnings through hard work, dedication and perseverance, and was drafted into politics by the Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide at a time when many of those now making political statements were still in primary school.
“In 1994, the Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide entrusted him with the responsibility of representing the Ikwerre Nation at the National Constitutional Conference in Abuja, alongside another representative from Port Harcourt.
“His involvement in politics was therefore not driven by personal ambition alone, but by the confidence and responsibility placed on him by his people. Throughout his years in public service and politics, my elder brother has, to the best of my knowledge, maintained his dignity and has not made it his character to publicly insult or demean people, including the Honourable Minister.
“Political association and party affiliation are matters of personal choice and conviction. No individual should be compelled to belong to a particular political camp or be subjected to personal attacks for choosing a different political path.
Honourable Minister, I am therefore appealing to you as a concerned younger brother to let this matter end.
“If there are grievances or misunderstandings between you and my elder brother, I believe they can be resolved through a private conversation rather than continued public exchanges.
“There is nothing wrong with picking up the telephone to call a fellow elder and resolving whatever differences may exist. An apology, where necessary, would not diminish anyone; rather, it would demonstrate maturity, strength and respect.
Rivers State needs peace, unity and responsible political engagement.
“Our political differences should not be allowed to destroy longstanding relationships or turn respected elders into objects of unnecessary public confrontation.
“Enough is enough. Let peace prevail. I make this statement simply as a concerned younger brother and citizen who believes that disagreements can be resolved without bitterness, humiliation or unnecessary public confrontation,” Engr. Uchendu stated.
