By Athan Agbakwuru Owerri
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has appealed to Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State and his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, former Governor Nyesom Wike to sheath their swords and end the bitter rivalry over control of power in the oil-rich state.
President-General of Ohanaeze, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu made the appeal while speaking with journalists during his official visit to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Rivers State branch in Port Harcourt within the week.
In a press release issued Thursday, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Ohanaeze PG, Ben Osuagwu disclosed that Chief Iwuanyanwu while in the Garden City frowned at the lingering face-off between the serving governor and his predecessor saying it is needless and counterproductive.
The President-General insisted that the misunderstanding between former Governor Nyesom Wike group, the House of Assembly Members on one hand and Governor Siminalaye Fubara should be resolved amicably in the interest of peace, development and the people of Rivers State, the entire Eastern region and Nigeria in general.
According to him, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is viewing the crisis situation between the Governor and the members of the House of Assembly with great concern and is not comfortable with it.
Chief Iwuanyanwu pointed out that both former Governor Wike and his successor are both Ohanaeze’s sons and wondered why they could not come to a round table conference and resolve whatever the issue is so that Rivers State will progress and move forward for transformational development.
“Only the FCT Minister, Wike and Governor Fubara will be able to resolve the crisis situation and the earlier they do it the better. Port Harcourt is more or less a commercial heartbeat of Eastern Nigeria and any problem that affects it or Rivers State will have a ripple effect in the entire region.”
Iwuanyanwu recalled with nostalgia that soon after the Civil war when there was a similar problem, the Leaders of Eastern Nigeria met at the Presidential Hotel Port Harcourt and formed a Council of Eastern Nigeria Business Leaders.
He hinted that the council which he was its elected President had prominent leaders of Eastern Nigeria from Rivers State such as Alagbo Graham Douglas, Chief Lulu Briggs, Chief Ombo Isokariri, Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu, Chief Emmanuel Agumah who was recently given one of the ‘Heroic Award’ in Enugu last year by Ohanaeze Ndigbo as one of its Founding Fathers, Chief Melford Okilo, Eze Wolluchem and Professor Leton as members among others.
