Don’t pull the ladder you used in climbing, Wike warns politicians

Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, said the Rivers State political issue is not an ethnic war and advised politicians not to pull the ladder they used to rise to power.

He claimed his state political team won’t let anyone bring it down.

The immediate past Rivers State governor said this on Sunday when addressing Ogba traditional rulers who visited him in Port Harcourt.

As they sought peace over the state’s problem, the traditional rulers, led by Nwachukwu Nnam-Obi III, visited Wike to celebrate his 56th birthday.

Wike told the monarchs he would listen to their counsel and accept peace on the political turmoil in the state, adding they did not vote by ethnicity in the last governorship election.

He responded, “No politician will fold his hands and be dragged down.

I and my crew would welcome peace, but we won’t be dragged down. Who will protect our people? Who will discuss our interests?

The former governor said every social group has norms for behaving.

He said, “Rules are everywhere, even in traditional institutions. You cannot escape them. Political groups have rules.

“You cannot say that because an Oba has emerged and will not follow traditional institution rules.

““No! Obas always follow rules. You must also avoid certain actions in politics.

“Do not pull your climbing ladder. Coming down, the ladder may not be there. Leave the ladder for others to climb.”

Wike and his political godson, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, have been fighting.

After the bombing of the state House of Assembly building and an attempt to impeach Fubara, 27 Wike supporters defected to the All Progressives Congress.