APC lauds move to resolve Rivers security challenges

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), has commended moves by the chairman of Rivers Elders Forum, Albert Horsefall to find lasting solution the security challenges bedeviling the state.

In particular, the party is pleased that the ex security chief has expressed commitment to identify the root causes of disunity and division in the state with a pledge to proffer permanent resolution.

The party said it was remarkable step that would benefit the entire state and enjoined other elders and stakeholders to emulate him to ensure that the tensed security situation in the state is doused.

Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, the spokesman of the state APC caucus and the deputy national secretary of the party, Orji Ngofa, said that the move by Horsefall was a welcome development.

However, the party decried the statement credited to the Rivers Elders Consultative Council led by Dr. Granville Abiye Georgewill where he claimed that the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, facilitated the second  stakeholder meeting during the visit of acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to the State recently.

“We can attest that the second stakeholders meeting facilitated by the APC provided veritable platform for groups and ethnic nationalities that were technically shut out from the meeting held in Government House, Port Harcourt to make their presentations for the restoration of peace and development of oil and gas bearing communities in Rivers State.

“It was the second meeting facilitated by the APC that provided platform for the people of Etche, Oceania Communities, Ogoni, Okrika, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Civil Society organizations, amongst others, to make their presentations to the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo”. It added,

Ngofa maintained that the APC in the State remains united under the leadership of Amaechi, and warned its members to avoid allowing themselves to be used by anyone to scatter the party.

“We urge the party to watch out for such persons and take appropriate disciplinary actions in established cases,” he stated.

Also, the state chairman of the party, Davies Ikanya said, the party is prepared for the Etche Local Government supplementary elections and urged everyone to cooperate with security agencies to ensure a free and fair election.