From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, on Tuesday said he had no anti-Ijaw agenda.
According to him, he was only committed to defending the state’s assets.
He said his actions were in the people’s interest.
The governor added that he would continue to protect the state’s asset, no matter the misinformation opponents sponsor.
Wike spoke while addressing members of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers during their quarterly meeting.
He said: “I will continue to protect the assets of Rivers State. My goal is to protect the interest of Rivers State and her people.
“We are defending Rivers ownership of Soku oil wells. Soku oil wells are situated in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“I am saying no, we will not allow a neighbouring state to take over what belongs to our people.
Read Also: Soku Oil Wells: The endless controversy
“We don’t have any anti-Ijaw agenda. If there is anyone with anti-Ijaw agenda, it is those coming from outside to claim Soku oil wells.
“You want to take what belongs to our state and you want us to fold our hands?”
Wike had accused his Bayelsa counterpart, Seriake Dickson, of a plot to take over the Soku oil wells.
But, Dickson said the wells’ ownership was not yet decided, despite a Federal High Court judgment, that they belong to Rivers.
Wike had threatened to sanction the Amanyanabo of Kalabari for hosting Dickson, a fellow Ijaw, adding that the Bayelsa governor came to Rivers without notifying the state government.
But, Dickson said he reserved the right to visit Ijaws anywhere without notice to anyone.
However, Wike has cleared the air over his attitude towards the Ijaws in Rivers.
He said: “Rivers State is one. Nobody can divide this state. As governor, I will not agree for any outsider to take what belongs to Rivers State. I will protect what belongs to our state.”
The Rivers governor said that his administration would continue to do what is right for the state.
He praised the traditional rulers for supporting the state government to deliver developmental projects and programmes.
Wike urged them to promote peace in their respective communities to attract development.
“We appreciate the cordial relationship and support of the traditional rulers. This has helped in the development of the state.
“We will continue to support the traditional institution and do our best to develop the state,” he said.
The chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Amayanabo of Opobo, King Douglas Dandeson Jaja, praised the state government for acquiring 45 per cent of the OML 11.
He also commended the state for securing ownership of Soku oil wells through the court.
He said the victory would lead to peace in the area.
The monarch said that Rivers people demonstrated their support for Wike last year in the face of trials.
He said: “We recall that 2019 was a year that tested the will of Rivers people. It was a year that proved to the world that Rivers people are solidly behind their governor and his government.
“It was a year that has shown that Rivers people are prepared to defend their rights, even unto death.
“We salute the courage of our people and commend the Rivers State governor for not taking their sacrifices for granted.
‘As soon as you were sworn in, you swung into action, delivering projects.”
The Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disrael Bob-Manuel, thanked the monarchs for supporting the governor, who, he said, was committed to the state’s development.
He said: “This was a tough year for us. The governor has moved round the state and he has reached out to the people. He has always shown a commitment to all communities,” he said.
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