Worried by the destruction of houses, properties worth millions of naira at the Rumuolumini, Rumuopirikon, Rumuigbo axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area suspected to have been sponsored by a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP heavy weight, in the area aimed at scuttling the planned visit of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Governor of Rivers State to the area, the Rivers Mainstream Coalition has condemned the act.
Speaking at a breakfast meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship aspirants in Rivers State in Port Harcourt, Prof. Israel Owate the National Coordinator of the Coalition who expressed dismay at the level of destructions of houses sponsored by a politician in the area whom he said is desperate to be a governor come 2015 aimed at stopping the planned visit of governor to the area, noted that the reason of the meeting was to liberate Rivers State and bring peace, unity, harmony amongst others.
According to him, “We don’t need violence, we need harmony, justice and because of these we have to work as a group and whoever wins the ticket should carry others along in the scheme of things and we will achieve it because all aspirants agreed to work together and whoever wins will carry the others along” adding that the body determined to forstall what happened last week where houses, properties were destroyed.
Prof. Owate who was a former Rivers State Commissioner for Education regretted that some people are desperate to be governor of the state believed that Rivers State belongs to them regard it as their personal estate and try by all means to remove the sitting governor as well as preventing the governor from moving freely.
Prof. Owate maintained that the Rivers State Mainstream Coalition was indicating interest that the state must express fairness to all ethnic groups especially those who have not produced governor of Rivers State, since the creation of the state.
He maintained that all the invitees were all members of the PDP who are aspiring for the governorship of the state.
He advised all the aspirants not to be afraid of any politician rather should rise and take up the fight for political freedom where everyone will express what he has for the people of the state.
On assessing Governor Amaechi’s developmental strides, he noted that the meeting was not called to assess Amaechi’s work, pointing out that Governor Amaechi has done what God sent him to do for the state.
In a chat with journalist shortly after the meeting, Hon. Bekinbo Dagogo Jack one of the aspirants revealed that they were in the meeting to ensure the safety of Rivers State assuring that they will achieve it. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
