Press Statement
1. The attention of Kalabari PDP Stakeholders Forum has been drawn to publications and radio announcements purported to have emanated from some Kalabari people and Concerned PDP Elders signed by Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, Hon Lolo Ibieneye and Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu on one hand, and the Kalika Assembly and Rivers Mainstream Coalition on the other castigating the endorsement of Barr Nyesom Wike for the Rivers State governorship election.
2. In the said publications and announcements, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe and Hon Lolo Ibieneye have been inundating the air waves and newspapers in Rivers State with talk of a so called zoning programme that, according to them, has made it COMPULSORY and NON-NEGOTIABLE for the next governor of Rivers State to emerge from the Kalabari ethnic nationality.
3 They have also, in the same announcements and the publications been making provocative comments and casting aspersions on the person of the Honourable Supervising Minister of Education, Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Rivers State and one who spearheaded and actualized the drive for the liberation of the soul of the PDP from strangleholds of the forces of dictatorship and delinquency in Rivers State.
4 First, these gentlemen are Kalabaris no doubt, but they obviously lack the mandate to speak on the matter of the guber ticket of the PDP as they are not even Card — carrying members of the party, neither do they represent the leadership of the Party in the three LGAs of Kalabari land.
5. Second, the arguments advanced by them and the groups they claim to represent, are at best parochial and backward and thus untenable in the present day geopolitical setting in Rivers State. This is the truth. It may be bitter but it remains the truth. Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, Hon Lolo Ibieneye and Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu should know better. Perhaps the trio and their group have lost touch with reality.
6. The vituperations of Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, Hon Lolo Ibieneye and Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu could infact be counterproductive and draw the ire of the other ethnic nationalities as the Kalabaris are not the only group that is yet to produce a governor in Rivers State. They should call themselves to order as their statements have infact done a lot of disservice to Kalabari.
7. The Kalabaris and indeed the generality of the good people of Rivers State should rest assured that the decision of the Kalabari PDP Stakeholders Forum, which represents the leadership of all the Wards and LGAs of Kalabari land, in calling on the Honourable Minister, Chief Barr. Wike to contest the guber position of Rivers State, was exhaustively considered and well-thought-out and in the best interest of our state under the present circumstances.
8. We do not just need a Governor of Rivers State. We indeed need a Governor that is humane, detribalized, properly educated, mentally and psychologically balanced, and one that will give maximum support and co-operation to President Goodluck Jonathan to actualize the lofty ideals of the Transformation Agenda. The Hon. Minister, Wike easily fits in.
9. However, we are in a democracy after all. While the minority should have a say, the majority will definitely have its way. The general public should please consider the publication and announcements of Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe and Hon Lolo Ibieneye as their view and say.
10. We wish to use this medium to once again re-assure the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party at the State and National levels of the loyalty of the good people of Kalabari land.
11. We urge the leaders of our dear party, the PDP, Rivers people and the good people of Kalabari to discountenance any publication and, or radio announcements from these individuals and groups.
Signed:
Engr. Okiye Evans
Chairman publicity Committee
Kalabari PDP Stakeholders Forum
Damiete West
Member
PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC PARTYKALABARI (DELGA, AKULGA, ASALGA)
Endorsement/Invitation To Chief Barr. Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike
On behalf of the Leaders, Elders, Stakeholders, Men ,Women, and Youths of Kalabari Ethnic Nationality (PDP) Rivers-State, states as follows;
1. That we have endorsed Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, Hon Supervising Minister of Education as the Gubernatorial Candidate of the PDP, in the Rivers State Governorship Election come 2015.
2. That we have also agreed to pay for his Primary Nomination forms as our token contribution.
3. That our brothers and sisters who had the dire ambition to contest should reconsider and be good sportsmen and step down their ambition for a better and God’s time.
4. That Chief Wike is also a Kalabari man by marriage.
5. That our decision was based on the principle of ‘best candidate amongst the other best candidates’.
6. That merit was our paramount yard stick that guided our decision.
7. That it is our resolve, to formally invite Chief Barrister Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike to Join the Governorship Race of Rivers State come 2015.
Long Live Kalabari Kingdom
Long Live Rivers-State
Long Live Nigeria
Signed
Engr. Okiye Evans
Chairman publicity Committee
Damiete West
Member
