VANGUARD
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;
