Unchecked marginalisation fueling insecurity, says Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said all Nigerians must see themselves as equal stakeholders to guarantee enduring future for the country.

The governor noted that peace and security would remain elusive across Nigeria if majority tribes continue to marginalise others.

According to a statement by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, the governor made the assertion, yesterday, at Government House in Port Harcourt, when the management of New Telegraph Newspaper, led by the Managing Director and Editor- in-Chief, Mr. Ayodele Aminu, presented him a letter nominating him as the Political Icon of the Year, 2022.

The statement reads: “The problem in this country, today, is not only as a result of the banditry or kidnapping; part of the issue that has to do with security is the issue of marginalisation.

“And I continue to tell our people or those who believe that they are dominant, you need peace for you to preside over those who you think do not have the number. You need peace. If there is no peace, it will be difficult.”

Wike recalled that the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was sequel to marginalisation of a section of the country.

He observed that because the zoning principle has been jettisoned in the PDP, coupled with the lack of seriousness to allow for inclusivity, convincing Nigerians to believe that the party can rescue the country is becoming a more difficult task.

The governor insisted that blackmail cannot diminish the demand for the national chairmanship position to be relinquished to the South. According to him, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the national chairman of PDP, had promised to resign his position should the presidential candidate of the party emerge from the north.

“He made that commitment because he knows that it will not be equitable, there will be no fairness and justice if the presidential candidate comes from the same zone with him.

Wike berated Mr. Dele Momodu, former presidential aspirant of the PDP, for allegedly trivialising the issues affecting the party and seeking cheap recognition.

In his speech, Aminu said they, in 2017, awarded Wike the Governor of the Year in Infrastructure because of his contributions to Rivers and leadership in the PDP.

He said they were delighted to have him as the Political Icon of the Year 2022 winner because it fits no one else but him.