Engineer Chika Uchendu has appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, to refrain from further public exchanges with former Senator Andrew Uchendu, following a recent confrontation involving the elder statesman at Omagwa in Rivers State.
Uchendu, who described Senator Andrew Uchendu as his elder brother, father and mentor, said the incident was particularly unfortunate because it occurred on the same day former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON, buried his mother at Ubima.
The burial, according to him, attracted political leaders, traditional rulers, dignitaries and people from across the country, making the reported public exchange at Omagwa inappropriate for what was expected to be a solemn occasion.
In a statement, Engineer Uchendu said he was deeply concerned by the development and appealed to Wike to “allow my elder brother to rest” and refrain from further public confrontation.
He said Senator Andrew Uchendu had built his political career from humble beginnings through hard work, dedication and perseverance, stressing that his involvement in public affairs predated the political careers of many of those currently making political statements.
According to him, the Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide drafted Senator Uchendu into politics at a time when many of his present-day political critics were still in primary school.
He recalled that in 1994, the Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide entrusted Senator Uchendu with the responsibility of representing the Ikwerre Nation at the National Constitutional Conference in Abuja, alongside another representative from Port Harcourt.
Engineer Uchendu argued that his brother’s political journey was therefore not motivated solely by personal ambition, but was rooted in the confidence and responsibility entrusted to him by his people.
He further stated that, throughout his years in public service and politics, Senator Andrew Uchendu had, to the best of his knowledge, maintained his dignity and avoided making public insults or deliberately demeaning individuals, including Wike.
The younger Uchendu also emphasised that political affiliation and association remained 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,” he said.
Against this backdrop, he appealed to Wike to bring the matter to an end, arguing that any disagreement or misunderstanding between the two political figures could be resolved privately rather than through continued public exchanges.
“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,” he said.
He suggested that a telephone conversation could provide an opportunity for both men to resolve their differences, adding that an apology, where necessary, should not be interpreted as weakness.
“An apology, where necessary, would not diminish anyone; rather, it would demonstrate maturity, strength and respect,” he added.
Engineer Uchendu stressed that Rivers State needed peace, unity and responsible political engagement, warning that political differences should not be allowed to destroy longstanding relationships or turn respected elders into targets of unnecessary public confrontation.
He therefore called for an end to the public exchanges, saying his intervention was motivated not by partisan considerations but by his concern as a younger brother and citizen who believes that disagreements can be resolved without bitterness, humiliation or unnecessary public confrontation. “Enough is enough. Let peace prevail,” he declared.
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