• Gov’s loyalist Ewor collapses factional PDP into Wike’s camp
• Fubara inaugurates five special advisers, ask them to work for Rivers
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has insisted that there would be no second chance for Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, accusing him of failing to provide effective leadership.
Wike said any leader who is unable to maintain a working relationship with local government chairmen, members of the state House of Assembly, and other critical stakeholders, lacks the capacity to govern effectively.
He made the remarks yesterday during a “thank you visit” to the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Addressing supporters he described as the “Renewed Hope Family,” Wike said Rivers State could not afford to be led by a governor who fails to honour agreements reached during a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The former Rivers State governor also recalled that he began the series of “thank you visits” to local government areas across the state last week.
He said, “We must make decisions. I heard somebody saying that those who worked for Atiku are back. They couldn’t give Atiku 10 percent. So what is the political advantage? I will not call their names because you all know them.
“We will do all we can to see that we give President Bola Tinubu all the total support that he requires.
“Money cannot solve this problem the governor has started. Tell the Rivers people what was discussed with the President. If you succeed with the first one that was resolved, you will not succeed with the second one.
“There cannot be two captains in one ship. So whoever is assuring you that when you shout on your mandate that all is well, then you are wrong.
“Someone who cannot relate with the local government chairmen, state assembly members, National Assembly members, and other stakeholders cannot provide good leadership.”
At the event, the factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Nname Ewor, used the opportunity to collapse his faction into Aaron Chukwemeka- led committee, supported by Wike.
Ewor, formerly loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, announced the dissolution of the factional body, saying; “Today, I am handing over the chairmanship and leadership of my faction to Aaron Chukwemeka – led caretaker committee. PDP is no longer factionalised in Rivers. PDP is under one chairman, and under one leadership, that is the leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.”
He explained that he left Fubara’s camp due to lack of trust.
Ewor said President Bola Tinubu mediated twice to resolve the political crisis in Rivers, alleging that Fubara failed to keep the terms of the agreement.
He said; “If the president mediated twice, that means you cannot be trusted. Can such a leader be trusted? We can’t trust him.”
Ewor also refuted claims by Fubara that Wike was intimidating and frustrating his leadership, stressing that the minister has not done anything to undermine his office.
Earlier, Chairman of ONELGA, Chukwu Ogbogu, commended Wike for the visit.
Ogbogu also thanked the minister for the development interventions in the local government during his tenure as governor of the state.
He added that, besides personal benefits as two-time commissioner and currently the council’s chairman, courtesy of Wike, other sons and daughters equally benefited from various appointments at the state and federal levels.
“I cannot thank you enough for this and many other things you have done for us,” he said.
He assured the minister of the local government’s continued support and pledged the people’s complete loyalty to Wike.
Also, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, Nkemjika Ezekwe, representing Onelga II State Constituency, described Wike as a “women empowerment advocate”, adding that he gave Rivers women voice and financial independence.
“We are solidly behind you,” she said.
The Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, (AMMC), Felix Obuah, who is from the area attested to the fact that Wike made him who he is today.
Describing Wike as a “divine project”, Obuah said the Onelga people would forever remain grateful to the minister, and that has been building bridges across Rivers.
In his remarks, Wike commended the people of the LGA for the show of love, unity and strength, adding that such virtues would take the people to places.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has inaugurated five special advisers charging them to work for Rivers people.
Fubara swore-in Eloka Tasie-Amadi, Prof. Peter Medee, Emmanuel Frank Fubara, Victor Ekaro, and Dr. Darlington Oji, as special advisers yesterday at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The governor said the event was part of the ways designed by his administration to recover lost grounds.
Addressing the appointees, Fubara said: “I did mention to you that we have every reason to move on to ensure that the lost grounds are regained.
“So, what we are doing this afternoon is bringing in some persons on board to ensure that the wheel of governance continues to roll smoothly in our state.
“I believe that these appointees are well known faces, they have been with us and worked with us. They understand the philosophy of this administration and it won’t be a problem falling in, following and ensuring that our goals are achieved
“My charge is not much because they already know what they have come to do. It is not pleasure but work. Everyone of you here that has been assigned some responsibilities in time past have always proven yourself. I am very sure that this time it won’t be different.
“Let me congratulate you for finding your name in the list in the midst of millions. It is a rare opportunity, don’t let us down.
“We will start to work for Rivers people. Our social agreement with Rivers people is to work and that is what you have come to do. So I wish you well in your appointment, God will guide you and the rest is with you.”
