Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, has advised former Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to moderate his alcohol consumption. This comes after Wike revealed that his liver and kidneys failed due to alleged poisoning at the PDP Secretariat in 2018.
Shaibu pointed out that Wike has always been open about his love for alcohol, particularly whiskey, even admitting to drinking it in the early hours of the day. Given Wike’s reported drinking habits, Shaibu suggested that his health issues may be attributed to alcohol poisoning rather than food poisoning.
The Special Assistant highlighted that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to various health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, digestive issues, and certain types of cancer. He also mentioned weakened immune system, memory problems, and sexual performance issues as potential consequences of excessive drinking.
While acknowledging that he is not a medical doctor, Shaibu urged Wike to introspect and consider the impact of his drinking habits on his health. He also questioned whether Wike’s hoarse and husky voice could be attributed solely to food poisoning if that were the case.
“Governor Wike has always been open about his intense and indubitable love for whiskey. He even said back in March that he was sipping a 40-year-old whiskey with his friends while watching Atiku and others protesting on TV at 11 am.
“Governor Wike has also been seen drinking and dancing in videos, including one he did with former Governor Rochas Okorocha. If Wike was indeed poisoned and his organs failed, he ought to be a teetotaller by now and reduce his drinking.
“I am not a medical doctor, but it is general knowledge that excessive alcohol consumption leads to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, digestive problems; and cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, oesophagus, voice box, liver, colon and rectum,” he said.
“Other ailments associated with excessive drinking include: weakening of the immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick; learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor sexual performance. Wike should look inwards. Let us assume that he was poisoned by food. Was his hoarse and husky voice also caused by food poisoning?”
