By Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area (LGA), Chijioke Ihunwo, has charged the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and his followers to allow the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to focus on impactful governance.
Ihunwo said it was sad that the minister, despite leading the state without interference for eight years, wants to continue to control the state and amass its wealth by allegedly creating crisis situations.
The council boss pointed out that Fubara is demonstrating exceptional leadership that is impacting the citizens and urged the minister and his cronies to allow peace to reign and pave the way for true governance.
Ihunwo made the call in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Sunday, while highlighting his achievements in the last month he assumed office as the Council boss.
Ihunwo said, “They want to own Rivers State, to continue to pocket the state but we can’t be moving forward and they keep dragging us backward because of their selfish interest.
“We are running out of patience, it is time the president calls Wike and his people to order. Ikwerre people have ruled the state for 16 years uninterruptedly. I am from Ikwerre and we cannot be governors for now, let us support other ethnic groups to do their tenure.”
Continuing, he said, “Amaewhule and his team should allow peace to reign, they have been in power since 1999, why can’t they go home and answer former lawmakers? The crisis development in Rivers State is demarketing the state. You see counter court orders, protests every day, and sadly, key players in the Rivers crisis are from Obio-Akpor Council. They should allow peace to reign.”
Ihunwo also urged the police to vacate the council secretariat to enable them to gain access and deliver more value to the people.
“If the council was open, we would have done more because most of the documents we are supposed to lay hands on to do more work for our people are locked up, but in less than one month, we have recorded great feats in line with the mandate of the governor.
“We have intensified efforts to enhance security and make the council safer for businesses and investments.
“We have also empowered a lot of people within the period and we have charged the international oil companies (IOCs) to partner with the council to empower more youths with the aim of tackling social vices,” Ihunwo stated.
