The Rivers State Elders Reconciliation Committee has condemned Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on his frequent attack against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Speaking at the press briefing held in Port Harcourt on Monday, the Rivers State Elders Reconciliation Committee which spoke through its facilitator, Dr. Monday P. Okonny, raised alarm over the way and the manner in which the Rivers State government which he described as “usurper” misappropriating funds meant for the development of the entire state, thereby deployed it to fund the opposition political party, All Progressives Congress, APC.
His words, “It is not surprising that compared with other states in the South-South and other zones in the country, Rivers State under a usurper government surrender to blind plundering, profligacy and under development of the state. It is unfortunate that our common patrimony is being deployed to fund opposition and attacks against the Federal Government”.
The Rivers State Elders Reconciliation Committee recalled that in the past three (3) years the state has practically been grounded in terms of social-economic development on “this needless and selfish ego war of the government.”
Dr. Okonny had earlier condemned an ultimatum issued by some highly respected Rivers men who demanded the substitution of Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike as the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State, saying that such “ultimatum is not the position of a generality of the Rivers people or the riverine Ijaw people of Rivers State”.
He pointed out that the interest of the Rivers people will not be served, if they vote for opposition party candidates that will not control the government at the centre. This Dr. Okonny said could lead to a disastrous and incalculable loss to the Rivers people.
The Rivers State Elders Reconciliation Committee canvassed support for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike for the next month general election.
According to the committee, “In view of the grim political reality that status us in the face, the only way to liberate the state, our dear people and generations unborn from vassalage is that all Rivers people who are still aggrieved should sheath their swords, close ranks and form a formidable alliance in support of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the PDP flagbearer, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, and all other candidates of the PDP in Rivers State.” The Committee continued by saying that, “Our core collective focus should be on how to massively and aggressively mobilize the people throughout the state to vote and emancipate the Rivers people from the grip of greedy usurpers”.
Members who were presence at the briefing include: Brig-General Woriboye Dick Iruenabere (chairman), Professor Jasper Jumbo, High Chief Navy Capt. A.B. Ajumogobia (rtd), High Chef Omubo A. Harry.
Others are: Chief Mike Baah, Dame Indiaba Charles and Chief Eugene Minimah. ##
