Rivers state elders on Wednesday weighed into the political
situation in the state, and affirmed their support for the Federal Capital
Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, while urging the state Government,
Sim Fubara to take immediate steps to correct the false narratives against the
minister to give room for reconciliation.
At a news conference in Abuja, the elders whose position was
declared by Chief Ferdinand Alabraba cautioned Fubara’s “newfound friends” to
retrace their steps before throwing the state into avoidable chaos.
He said Fubara misread a completely legislative plot as an
existential threat. Those who signed the speech included HRH Oha Sergent Awuse,
Chief O.C.J. Okocha, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, Rt. Hon. OK Chinda, Sen. Barry
Mpigi, Sen. Alwell Oyesoh and Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo.
Others were Sen. Adawari Pepple, Sen. Olaka Nwogu, Prince
Emma Anyanwu, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, Bro. Felix Obuah, Hon. Ken Chikere, Hon. Felix
Nweke, Hon. Frank Owhor, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu, Hon. Dum Dekor, Chief Ejor Ngowah
Ejor, Hon. Marcus Nle-Eji, Hon. Boma Iyaye and Hon. Kenneth Kobani.
According to them, Wike remained the undisputed leader that
produced the governor, all assembly members all 23 Local Government chairmen
and the entire councillors of the LGs.
Alabraba said; “We have followed with discomfort, the recent
events in our state that have culminated in the desecration and arson on the
hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly; the removal of the
leader of the Assembly, Hon. Edisson Ehie, his suspension along with three
others, the counteractions of Hon. Ehie and his trio group with his claim of
the impeachment of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule; the suspension of
some members loyal to the Speaker Amaewhule with the elevation of Hon. Ehie to
the position of Speaker.
“We have also followed the public appearance and speech of
the Governor of Rivers State at Government House and the State Assembly complex
and his encounter with the Police.
“We are aware of the various allegations that these
unfortunate events are linked to the former Governor of the State and Minister
of the FCT, H.E Nyesom Wike.
“We have listened to the various insinuations of ethnic
undertone, specifically that Governor Fubara is Ijaw and is marked for
impeachment to pave the way for the continuation of Ikwerre Governorship.
“We met with our Governor, H.E. Siminilaye Fubara and the
Honourable Minister, H. E. Nyesom Wike and resolved that H. E. Nyesom Wike is
the undisputed leader of the political family that produced Governor Sim
Fubara, the three Senators, eleven Members of the House of Representatives, all
thirty-two members of the State Assembly, all twenty-three local government
chairmen and the entire councillors of the 23 LGAs in Rivers State”.
According to him, Fubara and all the above-elected
office-holders in Rivers State belong to the same political family and are
“bound by our philosophy to transform, build, develop, and create the Rivers
State of our dreams in consonance with our New Rivers Vision devoid of
ethnicity, tribe, creed or gender”.
The elders disclosed that they are aware that there was a
pre-existing problem between Hon. Ehie, the then majority leader of the House
of Assembly and his colleagues which culminated in his removal; and that to
forestall Hon. Ehie’s impending removal, the chambers of the Assembly was burnt
and Governor Fubara believed that Hon. Ehie’s removal was a precursor to his
impeachment;
“The misrepresentation of the internal wranglings among the
members prompted the Governor’s immediate intervention making him characterize
a purely legislative broil as an existential threat. This caused the Governor
and his newly assembled supporters to give the actions of the assembly members
an ethnic colouration and prompted youths of Ijaw extraction to rally behind
the Governor in the name of Ijaw nationalism.
“The hasty reaction of the Governor has now pitched him H.E.
Sim Fubara and the State Assembly members in an all-out battle that has led to
the activation of the process of impeachment of the Governor; That the Governor
neither sought the help, clarification or intervention of H.E. Nyesom Wike or
the elders on these developments, nor did he discourage damaging lies to be
peddled against H.E. Nyesom Wike.
“H.E. Nyesom Wike has been viciously attacked by sections of
the media and public as the evil mastermind of a scheme or series of events he
was neither involved in nor privy to.
“False stories were peddled that H.E. Wike demanded money
from the Governor to discredit him before a gullible public.
“We confirm that the allegations are wicked, unfair and
satanic. The Governor being aware of the lies and not debunking them showed bad
faith and ingratitude”, they added.
According to them, Governor Fubara is aware that Wike
invested heavily in the infrastructural development of Rivers State, as he was
selfless and applied the funds of the State judiciously.
“He did not steal nor misappropriate Rivers State funds. To
insinuate that today, or create the impression he was asking for money is most
unfortunate”, he added.
The elders noted that Wike has consistently fought for and
defended the interests of Rivers State.
Alabraba said; “At our visit to H.E. Nyesom Wike, elders
assured him of our steadfast, complete and undiluted loyalty. We apologized for
the embarrassment caused him by the Governor, H.E. Sim Fubara and all others
who played various roles in the unfortunate drama. We vehemently condemn the
intrusion by some Ijaw leaders from other States who so soon have forgotten
that it was H.E. Wike who insisted on producing a Rivers Governor of Ijaw
extraction and paid a heavy political price in the process.
“H.E. Wike has since facilitated the appointments of more
Ijaw sons including Hon. Boma Iyaye as the Executive Director, Finance, NDDC
and Hon. Rufus Godwins Ngerewaji as member of Federal Civil Service Commission.
He has done more for Ijaw sons and ethnic nationalities than most of these
leaders.
“H.E. Wike’s efforts to make Sim Fubara Governor were
rejected and opposed largely by Ijaws than any other tribe or ethnic group;
“On the Assembly, we confirm that Rt. Hon. M. Amaewhule is
the authentic Speaker and Hon. Ehie and company are validly suspended.
“In conclusion, we wish to once again express our gratitude
to H.E. Wike for the audience and amiable disposition to continue to work
selflessly for our State and accept the mediation of the elders. We urge H.E.
Sim Fubara to take urgent steps to correct the false narrative against H.E. N.
Wike thus providing a window for mediatory talks and a way forward.
“We advise those encouraging H.E. Sim Fubara to engage in a
needless and fruitless battle with H.E. Wike to desist forthwith and allow the
Governor to concentrate on consolidating on the extraordinary achievements of
H.E. Wike while he was governor.
“Our pact with Rivers people is unbroken. They gave us a
mandate in the last election on the back of our achievements under H.E. Wike
and trust that the candidate from our political family will continue these good
works.
“We caution the new friends of Governor Sim Fubara to
retrace their steps before they throw the state into deeper crisis. We stand
with H. E. Wike and Rivers State”, they added.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com