- Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon Prince Chibudom Nwuche has condemned those fanning the embers of ethnicity in Rivers state, cautioning them to desist as such is capable of destroying the age long brotherhood and peaceful coexistence that has existed between the various ethnic groups in Rivers State, especially the Riverine and Upland areas.
Speaking when he hosted Wikematic Councilors and Supervisors Forum from Ahoada East LGA chapter at his Port Harcourt residence, he berated the activities of those whom he described as ..”meddlesome interlopers” from outside Rivers State promoting ethnic crises in the state, thereby heightening political tension and insecurity under the excuse of the political disagreement in the state.Emphasizing that the disagreement is purely an internal affair and can only be resolved internally without any external interference.
Hon Nwuche emphasized that those trying so hard to throw the state into crises did not contribute anything leading to the emergence of Siminalayi Fubara as governor of Rivers State, as some who are claiming Ijaw today were those who opposed the nomination of Fubara as not being “real Ijaw” by His Excellency Chief Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and did everything to stop him from becoming governor. Rather it was block votes from other tribes such as Ikwerre, Ogoni, Ekpeye, Etche,Kalabari etc that gave the governor the overwhelming victory, as according to him, …”no ethnic group in Rivers state can solely make a governor….”. He urged the meddlesome interlopers from other states to focus on their states as some have practically lost focus and abandoned the mandate of their people to represent them at the National Assembly,but have instead diverted their energies for monetary gain into Rivers politics. These energy they would have used to give their people effective representation, instead of taking Centre stage in promoting crises in Rivers state under the guise of supporting the suspended governor for pecuniary gains.
He used the opportunity to commend President Bola Tinubu for timely intervention by declaring a state of emergency in Rivers state to save the state and national economy from the imminent danger and break down of law and order occasioned by threats from the supporters of governor Siminalayi Fubara, and therefore called on well meaning Rivers people to desist from unproductive sponosored protests capable of worsening the situation in the state, but to support the Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas to achieve lasting peace and development in Rivers.
Nwuche thanked the councilors for the visit and remaining steadfast by supporting Nyesom Wike and president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that he understood their worries, that their efforts and contributions in making Siminalayi Fubara the governor of Rivers was betrayed wherein rather than reaping the dividends of their contributions, they were instead pushed aside and victimized for their stand for the truth, while those who never worked for the emergence of the suspended governor became beneficiaries.
He thanked them for remaining on the side of truth despite intimidation and harassment noting that by the Supreme Court judgement, they have been vindicated and will reap the dividends of their steadfastness while urging those who are still on the other the side to retrace their steps and join hands to move the state forward.
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation Hon Adamu Moses told Nwuche that they were in his house to thank him for standing behind the former governor of Rivers state and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory His Excellency Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in the support for President Tinubu administration and restoration of law and order in Rivers state. According to Hon Adamu, but for the timely intervention of the president by declaring state of Emergency, the state was already heading for full scale crises that could have led to loss of lives and wide scale destruction of National oil and gas gas assets with the commencement of bombing of pipelines following series of threats by those who claim to be in solidarity with the suspended governor Siminalayi Fubara. He extols the leadership qualities of Nyesom Wike who according to him “is a detribalized leader who spread developmental projects across all ethnic groups and LGAs in Rivers when he was governor, climaxing in the making of an Ijaw man as governor against stiff opposition from even some notable Ijaw personalities who at that time discriminated the governor as not being “real Ijaw” ,and therefore wondered why same persons are now the ones working so hard to bring the state down by preaching ethnicity. He pledged continues support of the group for the programs of the Sole Administrator in the state as well as Nyesom Wike and the success of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration and reelection come 2027.
Also Speaking, coordinator of the Wikematic Former Councilors Forum in Rivers State Hon Dr Samuel Amos thanked Nwuche for being the true symbol of the Ekpeye man known for integrity and gratefulness by standing with Nyesom Wike who did tremendously well for Ekpeye when he was governor but rather than show him appreciation and gratitude, some selfish Ekpeye indigenes joined forces with those fighting to bring down Nyesom Wike,many of whom he has touched and transformed their lives.