The immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has knocked Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike over the indifferent treatment of the funeral of Alabo Tamunotenyim Omubo Graham-Douglas (TOG).
Amaechi said Alabo don’t need to be Governor to be recognised by the state government.
He stated this on Saturday during the burial ceremony of the four-time federal minister at Abonnema, Akuku Toru Local Government Area.
The former Rivers State governor could not hide his displeasure as Governor Wike, his Deputy and daughter of Kalabari Kingdom, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo were conspicuously absent, and no representation was announced for the Rivers State Government.
In his remark on the eventful life and times of Alabo Graham-Douglas (TOG), Amaechi said by his immense contributions to nation building, Rivers State, in particular, TOG, Head of Orubibi Douglas War Canoe House, deserved a state burial.
He said, “When I became governor, he (TOG) was one of the first key figures and leaders I visited. Alabo and I spoke on ends on how to move the state forward.
“Indeed going by the contributions he made to the state, I was thinking that the state would take responsibility for everything concerning Alabo. You don’t need to be Governor to be recognised.
“Alabo played a very important role in making Rufus Ada George governor of Rivers. We came to thank him here in Abonnema when Ada George became governor. And he (TOG) was arguably one of the best dressed Rivers man until his death.”
