As the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State continues, a clergyman and elderstatesman in Niger Delta, Bishop (Dr.) Friday Nwator has sued for peace from all the feuding factions, reminding them that the peace of the state is paramount and above personal interests.
Nwator stated this in a press statement issued in Port Harcourt over the weekend on the state of the nation as it concerns the PDP crisis.
According to him, the bitter experience of the militancy era is still fresh in our memories and anything that will pave way for a recurrent of such incident should be avoided by all.
He recalled how he was carrying foodstuff to the then militants in the creeks under a very dangerous condition, before amnesty was brokered and peace restored.
The man of God said he is not satisfied with a situation where the youthful politicians are fighting each other and all the elders are watching them, hence the intervention. He told the press that he was not sent by anybody to intervene in the current political situation but directed by God to do so and as a concerned citizen of Rivers State, Niger Delta and Nigeria, it is sacrosanct to broker peace in the state.
In his words, “I want all the people involved in this crisis to know that Rivers State is important to us and it will not be good if we destroy it because we don’t have any other state to go to”.
The clergyman said categorically that as long as Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi duly elected by all as governor of the state, he should be respected by the people.
He reminded the people that “only God gives power and anybody antagonizing Him is antagonizing God”.
Nwator who is also the founder of International Integrity Bishops College and Faithful Ministers World Network called on President Goodluck Jonathan, Amaechi, Nyesom Wike, G.U Ake and others to listen to him as their father and sheath their swords.
He also called on Ogbakor Ikwerre and elders of Ogbaland to intervene on the matter and call their sons involved in the crisis to order.
The Bishop specifically appealed to President Jonathan and Gov. Amaechi to bury their differences, as it will be ridiculous for two illustrious sons of Niger Delta to engage themselves in open confrontation for any reason. This he said is capable of ridiculing the image of the region before the rest of Nigerians.
Nwator said as part of his solution to the problem, he has initiated an interdenominational prayer for this week at his church in Port Harcourt and enjoined all to attend. ###
Barth Ndu
