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Chiefs and elders of Kalabari Kingdom in Rivers State have offered to mediate in the political feud between the state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi and President Goodluck Jonathan.
This came as the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, alleged that there were plans by officials of the state government to circulate fake posters to create the impression that he wanted to run for the office of governor of the state in the 2015 elections.
The Kalabari chiefs, who paid Amaechi solidarity visit at Government House, Port Harcourt, Tuesday, noted that despite denials by both leaders, there were misunderstandings between the two sons of the
Niger Delta which should be resolved.
The delegation was led by the representative of the Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, Prof. Theophilus Princewill; the Amayanabo of Abonnema, Mr. Disrael Bobmanuel.
In an address read by Chief Sekinte Davis, on behalf of the people, they expressed their avid support for the governor and pledged to stand by him in his current travails.
They said: “At certain times in the life of a man, the public
expression of the love, goodwill, admiration and support of friends and relatives may be highly desirable. For us as Kalabari people, this is a good time to show our solidarity with our son, brother, friend and governor. The Kalabari people as an ethnic nationality would continue to work with you. We pledge our loyalty and unflinching support to Your Excellency’s (Amaechi’s) administration.”
They praised Amaechi for his laudable achievements so far in the Kalabari area and the state generally. They congratulated him on his re-election as the Chairman of the Nigeria, Governors’ Forum (NGF).
They said: “May we use this opportunity to thank Your Excellency for the swiftness and persistence with which you have been committed to this battle to restore Soku and other Kalabari communities to the Kalabari Kingdom. It would be apposite, in the same vein, to join other men and women of goodwill resident in the state to tender our gratitude to you for the growth and development in the core areas which your administration is focused on.
“The investments in health, particularly primary healthcare; in education, infrastructure, enhancing the capacity of teachers, and quality assurance and in agriculture, especially fish farming, compel us to say thank you.
“It would be an oversight not to thank you for sending our children to study abroad under generous scholarships. Neither would we fail to say thank you for our brothers in various positions of responsibility especially the Hon Otelemaba Dan Amachree, the speaker of the state
House of Assembly” in whom we are well pleased.
“He has maintained the principle of separation of powers while aligning the making of good laws to a shared vision for development. It is our hope that the confidence you have reposed in them will take you all to the finishing line.
“For us as Kalabari people, we can confidently say that despite all odds, you have provided visionary and purposeful leadership for the state. We cannot pretend that your administration has delivered on its mandate. We align with all your pro-people initiatives and express our unalloyed support to your administration. We will stand with you at all times.”
They offered to arbitrate in any political misunderstanding the governor might have had with other Nigerians and appealed for peace in the state.
Meanwhile, Wike, in a statement issued Tuesday by his Special Assistant (Media), Simeon Nwakaudu, alleged that some officials of the state had plotted to print and circulate his posters to create the impression that he had declared for the 2015 governorship election for the state.
The statement said: “We want to categorically declare that this is an orchestrated evil plot by these political mercenaries aimed at presenting the Minister of State for Education as an over-ambitious politician. The fundamental aim of this plot is to create the impression that the minister is flouting the directive on the ban of 2015 political campaigns by the Independent National Electoral
Commission, (INEC).”
The statement called on the public to disregard the posters when they do appear as they did not emanate from Wike.
“We urge members of the public to disregard these posters, if and when they are circulated, because they are the handiwork of sinking and desperate politicians who are bent on circulating false information to over-heat the polity.
“We wish to state that regardless of the blackmail tactics of these officials of the Rivers State Government, the Honourable Minister of State for Education remains committed to the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR). The minister is totally focused on delivering on the responsibilities assigned to him by the administration to develop the nation’s basic education sector,” the statement said.
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