During a thanksgiving service at a church on Sunday, Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, shared his harrowing experience of surviving a poisoning attempt while in office.
Wike revealed that doctors had informed him that his intestines had turned black, indicating the effects of the poisoning that allegedly occurred at the state government’s secretariat.
However, he expressed gratitude for his miraculous recovery, which surprised the doctors who had diagnosed him.
Wike emphasized the challenges faced by governors, mentioning how the public assumes everything is going smoothly for them, without considering their well-being.
He recounted incidents where he was unwell, unable to attend events, and had to delegate speeches to his deputy without disclosing the true reasons. Wike further revealed that he had been taken out of the country for medical treatment after the January 1st State Banquet in 2019, where doctors discovered severe damage to his kidneys and liver.
He believed he had been poisoned at the secretariat but expressed gratitude for his survival.
The former governor also shared other instances of adversity, such as his wife being diagnosed with cancer during his presidential primaries, a fire that destroyed her room, and a near-plane crash involving his wife and daughter.
Despite these challenges, Wike maintained his resilience and thanked God for the well-being of his family. He expressed frustration with people who only seek his assistance without considering the personal struggles he may be facing.
Wike concluded by acknowledging the importance of not alarming his supporters and projecting strength as a leader.