Stop commenting on Rivers politics, lawmaker tells Ugochinyere

Loyalists, associates set to mark Wike’s birthday
A member of the House of Representatives, representing Abua/Odual and Ahoada East Federal Constituency of Rivers State, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Solomon Bob, has advised his colleague, Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo), to desist from commenting on the political crisis in Rivers.

Bob advised at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday. The lawmaker said that Ugochinyere’s comments were not helping calm frayed nerves but further escalating the crisis in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ugochinyere, with a background in law, is a first-time member of the House representing Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo State.

Ugochinyere, who is the spokesperson for the Concern Opposition Lawmakers in the House, had organised a series of recorded and live press briefings on the crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers and the FCT Minister, Nyesome Wike.

The lawmaker has also been very outspoken on the many court cases and decisions on the crisis in the Rivers House of Assembly, as well as the crisis bedevilling the PDP in the state and at the national level, taking sides with Fubara.

Bob, however, said that Ugochinyere did not have the locus standi to comment on issues in Rivers, saying it was un-parliamentary for a member to comment on issues in another state or constituency when the matter was not brought to the floor of the House for debate.

MEANWHILE, there is a plan by loyalists, associates and friends of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to shut down Rivers State, particularly Port Harcourt, the capital city, in celebration of his birthday.

The move is aimed at making a strong statement on Wike’s undisputable political leadership of Rivers amid the ongoing crisis in the state.

In a show of solidarity, Wike’s political associates, loyalists, and friends within and abroad will fly into Rivers to identify with the programme.

The loyalists have decided to use the occasion to celebrate Wike’s birth anniversary with various events across the state.

New groups and movements, including the NEW Associates, Wikematic Youths, Wikematic Women, and Rivers Ijaw Progressive Congress (RIPCO), will be on parade on Friday at different venues across the state.

According to the Convener of the NEW Associates, George Thompson Sekibo, numerous supporters of the minister are excitedly waiting to mark the day.

Sekibo announced that a public lecture titled, “Pragmatic Strides of a Visionary Leader and Contemporary Issues of Society,” would herald the celebration.