Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has asked the Igbo why
they allow the outlawed Indigenous People Organisation of Biafra (IPOB)
criminals to speak for them.
Wike spoke when the national leadership of the Nigerian
Guild of Editors (NGE) paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port
Harcourt on Friday.
Wike told the NGE that the #EndSARS protest was peaceful in
Rivers State until the outlawed IPOB took laws into their hands.
“I don’t support criminality. IPOB killed 6 army officers, 4
policemen, burnt police stations and court buildings. This is Rivers State. Go
to Oyigbo and see the level of destruction. Now the State Government will be
rebuilding those facilities.
“Those who don’t understand our actions are saying we are
fighting the Igbo. How will they allow criminals to speak for them when there
are intelligent Igbo people to speak for them?
“If they (IPOB) are aggrieved, instead of channelling it to
the right quarters, they go and kill innocent people and destroy public
places,” he stated.
Wike, however, challenged members of the NGE to always hold
public office holders accountable to the people, noting that in time past, the
Nigerian Press was a strong voice and conscience of the society, but wondered
what has whittled down their powers.
“What I have seen of you is that you praise us and give us
award because of relationship or friendship. That’s not the way it should be.
Challenge us; the people in authority and we will sit up to our
responsibilities. We will have no choice than to perform and serve the people
as it should be.
“My support for you has to do with the fact that you are
supposed to tell the truth of what is happening in Nigeria.
“There was a time you were exposing the ills of society. If
not for you certain things will not be known. Assume your role, grow strong
again and speak out, ” he said.
The governor stated that Nigeria is in a difficult period in
its history and that NGE could not shy away from performing its duties without
fear or favour.
He urged them to discharge their function and be sure that
they are doing what is right always
“If when I castigated the operations of SARS you added your
voice, who knows what good that would have achieved.
“Now look at what has happened. There was #EndSARS protest
across the country. Nobody knows how the youths were able to organise
themselves without a leader.
“Up until now, intelligence can’t even know how they did it
and who’s behind them. Without good intelligence, how can Nigeria even defeat
Boko Haram?” he queried.
National President of NGE, Mustapha Isha said Wike has
remained consistent in his support to the guild.
“You are the only government that has sponsored our annual
conference back to back. Even if we have a new leadership, that will not affect
the friendship we share with you.
“Anytime I come to Port Harcourt, there is always a new
project on-going. Flyovers are being constructed, existing roads are being
expanded, and new roads being built.
“This is your second term and you’re maintaining what you
said that you’ll work until the last day of your tenure. You have zeal and
passion in handling issues of Rivers state, from covid-19 to issues of
security.
“Projects don’t hide, even your political opponents will see
them. They may murmur, but they will use them. Your excellency, keep up with
your good job”, he said.
The members of the guild later accompanied Wike on project
tour of the Rebisi Flyover, Real Madrid Football Academy and the Mother and
Child Specialist Hospital.
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