Wike influenced my appointment as Minister of State for Petroleum - Lokpobiri

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri has revealed that Nyesom Wike played a pivotal role in his appointment to the federal cabinet.

Lokpobiri who disclosed this while speaking at an event organised in honour of the FCT Minister by the Ijaw Peoples Congress (IPC) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, emphasised the importance of political alliances and support networks in achieving key governmental positions.

"It is important to tell you my brothers and sisters that me that is standing before you today as the minister of state for petroleum resources was also made possible by Nyesom Wike,” Lokpobiri said. 

“Some of you may not know. It all started in Wike’s house in Port Harcourt and it all got concluded in his house in Abuja. My second journey of becoming a minister started at the minister’s house in Port Harcourt and concluded in his house in Abuja. I need to complete this history,”

"When I was looking at the welcome address, my name was not included among those who have benefitted from his benevolence. I thought that my name, Heineken Lokpobiri, would have been included amongst those that he has helped.

“But since my name is not included, I have to complete it. I want you Ijaw people to know that we have a brother, we have a friend. It is always better to have a good friend than to have a bad brother. Of what use is a bad brother? It is of no use. But if you have a good friend in the case of the FCT minister, you are already blessed.

“We Ijaw people are very grateful people. If you do us good, we will not pay you back with evil. So, we will always be grateful to you for what you have done for our Ijaw people. We are looking forward to you to do more for our Ijaw people.”

Lokpobiri, who hails from Bayelsa, was the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development between 2015 and 2019.