By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress said it has dumped its allegiance to the Rivers State Governor Siminilayi Fubara and pledged to follow the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike.
Chairman of the congress, Senator George Sekibo, made the announcement following the group’s decision during Wike’s “thank you” visit to Okrika Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.
Sekibo who described the feud between Fubara and Wike as “very unfortunate,” however stated that the Ijaw people were not ungrateful people.
He recalled how Wike supported the emergence of Fubara, an Ijaw son, as governor of Rivers State and was widely supported by the people across the state.
“Please don’t look at him and think we are all ungrateful people. Ijaw people are genuinely grateful people.”
“That is why we abandoned him (Fubara) and said we will follow you. You have done so much for Ijaw people in Rivers. Whatever you say we should do is what we will do,” he said.
Sekibo assured the minister of the Ijaw people’s support and pledged complete loyalty to President Bola Tinubu.
“We are grateful people, and that is why we are following you. We will not leave you because you have been there for us,” he added.
Earlier, Chairman of Okrika Local Government Council, Mr. Akuro Tobin, described Wike as his “political godfather,” who has equally supported many sons and daughters of the area to occupy various political offices, both elective and appointed.
He assured the minister that the men, women, and youths of the LGA were solidly behind him and Tinubu.
Speaking on behalf of Okrika women, Mrs. Linda Stewart, Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly, representing Okrika Constituency, said Wike’s support to women was unprecedented and prayed for him to succeed in all his endeavours.
Wike, in his remarks, thanked the people for their support and for standing firm with Tinubu.
He described Tinubu as a man who keeps his promise and urged the people of Okrika to continue to support people with good and trusted character.
Wike, who also visited the ‘Amanyanabo’ of Okochiri Kingdom, King Akete Tom, in his place, commended the traditional leader for keeping his people united.
He told the monarch that a decision had been made on the 2027 election, adding that his children would tell him the details in due course.
He, however, appealed to the traditional ruler not to interfere with the upcoming political activities but to advise the people whenever they go wrong.
“It will not be business as usual. Allow us to play our game, and if there is any problem, call us to settle,” the minister added.
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