Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon Prince Chibudom Nwuche OFR has urged for unity amongst Ekpeye political leaders and the masses comprising of Ahoada East and West Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
Speaking on the sidelines at a Stakeholders and Leaders meeting held at his Ochigba residence on Monday 1st September, Nwuche told them “….to make political progress and attract development to Ekpeye, the political hierarchy must be united and stop running each other down”. He noted that Ekpeye’s underdevelopment when compared to its past glory was as a result of disunity and some leaders conniving and running other leaders down.Reminding them that Ahoada town was the headquarters of the old Ahoada Division.It was a vibrant commercial center and covered parts of present day Obio/Akpo, Ikwerre, Emohua, Abua/Odual, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada East and West LGAs but today it is a pale shadow of its former self, because of the constant pulling down of one another by some leaders.
He reminded them of the famous teaching of Chinese philosophy Mao Zedong that “Let a thousand flowers bloom…..”, maintaining that whatever is due to anyone will come to them and there is no need to recruit supporters to send falsehoods and denigrating texts to leaders to run down those they perceive as potential threats to their plans to dominate the politics of Ekpeye land.That even he has been a victim of such blackmail and lies,maintaining that by the grace of God he has been very well to do since the 90s from his oil and gas Services business. That he has never asked nor received a penny from any body to assist them to positions, be it at the local,state or federal level.He commended a few who were recruited for the hatchet job but refused and personally confessed to him, maintaning that their refusal to do so was in the best interest of Ekpeye people. That people that gained temporary advantage by deceits, cunning,lies and connivance will on the long loose the support and trust of the masses and will lack followership at the grassroots and the masses, except for a few hangers on who they give crumbs to keep their loyalty.
He emphasized on the need for leaders to attend meetings as those who do not attend meetings called by other leaders, and instructing their supportes not to attend are not helping the growth of Ekpeye , but are the ones causing the under development and poverty amongst the people for their selfish interest.The people are now aware of their antics and it will not benefit them on the long run, as lies and falsehoods have an expiry date
He further opined that 2027 elections will be keenly contested and therefore the need for unity and broader consultations and engagements with the masses, and advised leaders to stop forming cabals but embrace all party supporters by treating them fairly. Noting that when elites form cabals to capture power, they should deploy the power supposedly captured for the benefit of all and not for themselves alone.That the determinant of who is victorious in the 2027 elections will be based on the support of the masses and not the so called loyalty of a clique urging Ekpeye people to be more vigilant and hold elected officials accountable.
He advise the incoming chairman of the councils to be fair to all and not to be partial and discriminatory based on the fact that certain interests nominated them,and mustn’t for any reason misgovern as they have their personal pedigree and family names to protect.
He urged them to emulate the Minister of FCT Chief Barr Nyesom Wike who as council chairman built one of the best council secretariat in the country, roads, hospitals, schools etc. That Wike carried every one along and that is why his political trajectory has been excellent and is loved by the masses.
He used the opportunity to thank Ekpeye masses such as farmers, fishermen, businessmen,students and those at the grassroots who have always stood by him as shown by the recent visits to several communities during the just concluded elections where men, women and youths on hearing he was around came out in their numbers because he has provided selfless service to Ekpeye nation in the past 25 years from his tenure as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives till date. Hon Nwuche maintained that he has never engaged in pulling down any Ekpeye sons or daughters, but has used any opportunity to uplift and recommend them to positions.
He called on the council chairmen to utilize their security votes for the security of of the LGAs by supporting the Police, Army, DSS, Civil Defense by providing them operational vehicles and regular allowances. He also urged them to support properly organized and government approved vigilantes to assist in quelling the wave of criminality and cultism ravaging Ekpeye, mostly on account of the neglect of security agencies by past local administrations. Regretting that Ekpeye has been in the news for the wrong reasons, especially the sad episode of the murder of the gallant officer SP Bako Amgbashim (May his soul Rest In Peace) while serving as DPO of Ahoada by a notorious cultist and criminal Gift Okpara alias 2Baba who is now late and his cohorts.
He urged Ekpeye youths to shun cultism and those still in cults to renounce and accept amnesty of government. He also called on traditional rulers to work together and stop sowing seeds of discord amongst themselves and the people.
He urged the masses to hold elected officials accountable, as there was nothing wrong in leaders nominating any Ekpeye sons or daughters for positions.That if such sons or daughters should be found to be mindlessly looting the treasury and failing in their duties of developing the area they should report to the EFCC instead of taking the laws into their hands.
He urged Ekpeye people to be careful in recommending certain persons to leaders, especially if they are people of bad character,and who steal and lie and are not competent or have any empathy for the masses.No leader can be expected to know all Ekpeye sons,or to only nominate his direct family members for all appointments.