Issues

Nigeria: The Quest For Stability

Published

12 years ago

January 9, 2012

A controversial prediction credited to the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 2006, saw the Nigerian nation trotting on the rim precipice. The agency was reported as warning that if the nation’s leaders fail to get their act together, the country may face total dis-integration before 2015.

As was the case when the Transparency International, a corruption watch non-governmental organization, rated Nigeria as one of the most corrupt nations of the world, the Nigerian government under President Olusegun Obasanjo reacted sharply, dismissing the report as baseless. The government prided itself as having taken measures to guarantee the peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians by ensuring justice and equity.

It repeatedly cited the peaceful conduct of 2003 general election and later the 2007 peaceful civilian to civilian transition as major indicators that the nation was more united than ever and that democratic governance has taken root in Nigeria.

The government took some steps further. It ordered the arrest and prosecution of most of the leaders and members of the troublesome ethnic and militia groups. For instance, the leader of the Movement for the Survival of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike was arrested with hundreds of his followers. The leader of the Odua People Congress (OPC), Gani Adams and the leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, Alhaji Asari Dokubo were arrested detained and later released alongside some of their members. Tension was temporarily doused but terrorism was brewing.

Just few months to the end of his administration, former President Obasanjo was forced to deploy troops to the forests and hills of Adamawa State to flush out some Islamic militants who wrecked havoc on residents of the state during a number of unprovoked attacks.

Since then, not a few Nigerians have continued to express misgivings about the structural imbalances and injustices within the Nigerian polity. The media has remained awash with cries of marginalisation and calls for constitution review to correct perceived imbalances. Regional, sectional and ethnic groupings and cleavages have continued to increase in their numbers.

The release of Asari Dokubo from detention and the taking over of Shell Oil facilities in Ogoniland by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which were calculated to calm frayed nerves in the Niger Delta region, did not achieve much in that direction. While oil exploration activities are yet to resume in Ogoni, more militant groups sprang up in the region resulting in frequent attacks on oil facilities, kidnapping, piracy, gun-running, illegal oil bunkering and other associated criminal activities increased in frequency to the point of undermining the nation’s economy. The activities of a militant group called Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), for several months remained a source of nightmare for the federal government.

An attack on Nigeria’s biggest oil field, the Bonga Oil field believed to have been organised and executed by MEND resulted in a drastic drop in Nigeria’s daily production of crude oil.

The establishment of a Joint Military Task Force (JTF) by the Federal Government to restore peace and security in the area did not deter the groups in their activities. In 2007, the Federal Government took further step by creating a special ministry called Ministry of Niger Delta to take care of development activities in the troubled region as a way of curtailing the raging agitations and criminality.

While the Ministry of Niger Delta was putting its act together, for a smooth take-off, the Federal Government took yet another historic step towards the restoration of peace in the troubled region by announcing a three month amnesty programme for militants who were willing to repent and surrender their arms.

The implementation of the post-amnesty programme has progressed despite the death of President Yar’Adua who initiated it and amidst wide criticism that it was a reward system for socio-economic criminals at the expense of law-abiding youths. Despite the criticism, it can be said that the amnesty programme has so far helped in calming frayed nerves in the Niger Delta resulting in the restoration of oil production activities in the region.

During the 2006 National Constitutional Conference organised by the Obasanjo administration, the regions representatives, especially the South South group had demanded an increase in derivation funds from 13% to 50%.

Their South East counterparts asked for an additional state to be carved out of the present five states as a way of addressing what they called geo-political imbalance in the Nigerian state. While the conference conceded to the demand of the South East for an additional state, translating to about N4billion then, in revenue allocation to the region annually, it only increased the derivation funds from 13% to 17% which was also said to translate to about N24billion in annual revenue allocation to the region.

However, the conference recommendations were thrown out on the floor of the Nigerian Senate.

When Senator David Mark took the reins of power on June 3, 2007, he promised that his tenure would witness a review of the constitution as a way of assuaging the pains of the marginalised and the oppressed in the Nigerian polity. It was an admittance that there are imbalances which result to injustices in the Nigerian system.

Senate later constituted a special committee headed by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, charged with the responsibility of reviewing the constitution.

The Ekweremadu Committee, is still grappling with issues bordering on state and local government creation. A state like Lagos for instance, with a population that is just slightly different from Kano feels cheated in terms of the number of local government areas it is constitutionally permitted to have.

According to the 2006 census figures released by the National Population Commission, Lagos State has a population of 9,013,534 people. The state contested this figure at the subsequent census tribunal.

The state government has put the population of the state at over 15 million; Lagos currently manages with only 20 LGAs as against Kano with 9.383,682 people spread across 44 Local Government Areas.

To counter this imbalance then Lagos State Government under Governor Ahmed Tinubu created additional 37 local government areas. The action was described as arbitrary by the Obasanjo administration and for which reason it withheld the revenue allocation to the local government areas until the end of the administration.

Census figure, being a major determinant in state and local government creations, the census tribunal did not have easy time with states such as Lagos, Imo and others which felt that the head count was not properly done in their areas. Some of the states may have lost their cases at the tribunal, but this only intensified the feeling of marginalisation.

One of the darkest memories in recent Nigerian history is the recurring bloody convulsion in Plateau State where hundreds of people have lost their lives to attack and counter attack by two feuding groups in the state. According to Adam Higazi, a research fellow of King’s College, Cambridge, the state has gained reputation as the centre of ethnic and religious violence in Northern Nigeria. While the Muslim community in the State agitates over what they call political exclusion on the basis of ethnicity and religion, Christians express fears of religious and cultural domination. Various governments have been reluctant to publish reports of various probe panels on the crisis.

The outcome of the April, 2011 presidential election which saw the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan did not go down well with many youths and their sponsors in the Northern part of the country. The announcement of the result promoted a bloody convulsion which left over 20 youth corps members dead.

The report submitted to the federal government by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) in August 2011, which investigated the extent of environmental pollution and degradation resulting from decades of oil exploration in Ogoni, South South Nigeria, prompted fresh demonstrations in the area calling for the immediate and full implementation of its recommendations. Emergency remedial programmes in the area of social amenities, launched by the Rivers State Government, averted escalation of the protest.

As ethnic and religious conflicts take their toll on human lives in various parts of the country, terrorism seems to be coming like a creeping inferno. First was the rumour that Al-Qaeda has established bases in parts of Africa, then came the alleged Christmas Day attempted bombing of an American passenger plane by Umar Faruk Abdulutallab, a Nigerian youth who on October 12, 2011,pleaded guilty to all the charges leveled against him.

On October 1, 2010, 12 people were killed in multiple bomb blasts in Abuja near the venue of celebrations for the 50th independence anniversary. Implicated in the blasts was MEND factional leader, Henry Okah who is still facing trial in a South African court.

On December 24, 2010 at least 38 people were killed, 74 injured in a series of bomb attacks in the central city of Jos and northeastern Maiduguri

Again on December 31, 2010, four people were killed in a bomb blast at a beer garden of a military barracks also in Abuja.

Then came the April 8, 2011attack on Suleja which left 11people dead and 38 wounded at an electoral agency office.

Also on Democracy Day (May 29, 2011) a bomb blasts at an open air beer drinking spot in northern Bauchi city and on the outskirts of Abuja, left 18 people dead and 31 injured.

More shocking was June 16, 2011 suicide bomb attack at the Force Headquarters, Abuja which claimed the life of a police officer and seven people wounded.

Another bomb attack in UN building in Abuja claimed 18 lives.

Four children were killed in a separate attack in the northern town of Damboa, near Maiduguri.

The arrest, trial and imprisonment of a self-proclaimed spokesman of Boko Haram Ali Umar Konduga (aka) Al-Zawahiri as well as the arrest and continuing trial of a serving senator, Muhammed Ndume did not deter the attackers on worshipers at a Catholic Church Madala, Niger State which also claimed 24 lives. Days into the declaration of a state of emergency in 15 local government areas in four states across the North by President Goodluck Jonathan, the terrorists visited a Deeper Life Church at Mubi, Adamawa State massacred 8 faithful just as another gang of terrorists killed 12 people in Gombe.

The declaration of a state of emergency is seen as a bold but desperate effort to contain the spate of terrorism in that area.

Having voted a large chunk of the 2012 budget to address these security concerns, Jonathan’s economic team headed by former World Bank President Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, alerted the nation on what it described as impending economic collapse of the country if urgent steps were not taken to tackle the situation. Subsequently, it came up with a proposition which had earlier been canvassed by the governor’s forum led by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi on the need to fully deregulate the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

The team’s argument is that recovering the subsidising money would enable government reinvest it in strategic infrastructure, power, agriculture, ICT, transportation and other sectors that are likely to create employment and boost the Nigerian economy.

This proposition was still being debated when the Petroleum Products Pricing and Marketing Company PPMC, announced petroleum subsidy removal on the eve of New Year (December 31, 2011).

The surprising removal of subsidy has now brought government in direct confrontation with organised labour which has vowed to shut down the economy through a nationwide strike and rallies scheduled to begin today.

Labour has also shunned further requests for dialogue until government reverts to the former price regime of N65 per litre of petrol. Government has already announced some palliative measures to cushion the hardship Nigerians are already facing following the subsidy removal and has also gone to the industrial arbitration court to obtain an injunction restraining organised labour from embarking on strike. Organized labour led by NLC and TUC have dismissed the court order as a fluke since according to them, it runs contrary to the constitutional right of labour to protest unjust polices of government.

Determined to avert the strike which it suspects will further cripple the economy, the two arms of the National Assembly cut short their Christmas break to reconvene yesterday, Sunday January 8, 2012.

Whether the crisis generated by deregulation and the threat of terrorism from numerous armed bandits operating under the cover of Boko Haram leaves Nigerians as a corporate entity, can only become clearer in the coming days and weeks.

Those who have predicted that Jonathan will be the last President of Nigeria, may see the present scenario as the beginning of the end, but should the nation’s leaders resolve the emerging crisis and push ahead with a faithful implementation of their economic reform programme, the nation may as well be on the way to wearing the crown as an African tiger that can compete favourably with the Asian tigers.

Will Nigeria go the way of the Soviet Union, Checkoslovakia or become as united as the United States of America whose democratic principles Nigeria has been striving to imbibe?

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu is optimistic that Nigeria will survive. But, “we need a lot of catching up”. Former Nigeria’s representative to the United Nations, Mairtama Sule says Nigeria will grow out of the woods but we need a character revolution. “We used to be our brothers keepers”.

Expressing similar optimism, former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani insists that it is only political reorientation devoid of selfish interest, the one that is popular and carries the majority of the people along, that can uplift Nigeria and save it from collapse.

Desmond Osueke

Issues

Investing In Nyesom Wike: A Story Of Dedication, Sacrifice And Ultimate Loss

Published

2 weeks ago

April 10, 2024

The Tide

In 2015, I made a conscious decision to invest my financial resources, my time, and energy into supporting Nyesom Wike’s gubernatorial campaign. I poured my heart and soul into ensuring Nyesom Wike emerged victorious even at the risk of my personal safety.
Again in 2019, I doubled down on my commitment. I invested a significant amount of money to procure campaign outfits for all twenty-three Local Governments Areas of Rivers State. I spared no expense in supplementing Wike’s election efforts in my own local government, and once again putting myself at great risk to safeguard the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
However, despite my unwavering loyalty and sacrifices, I found myself abandoned and forgotten by Wike. Throughout his eight-year tenure, he failed to acknowledge my contributions or fulfill his promises and agreements. Even as a former Deputy Governor, Wike denied me my severance benefit.
My investment in Wike’s governorship was not just financial – it was a commitment of passion, dedication, and belief in a better future for Rivers State. Yet, his leadership style of dishonesty, greed, drunkenness and rash abuse of senior citizens brought me nothing but disappointment, misery and losses.
By the grace of God, today I speak not as a victim, but as a hero. I have accepted my losses, and I have moved on. And as I reflect on my experience, I cannot help but urge Wike to do the same and allow peace and development to reign in Rivers State.
Nyesom Wike, when you speak of investing in Governor Sim Fubara’s election, remember those like me who also invested in you. Remember the sacrifices I made, the risks I took, and the promises and agreements you left unfulfilled.
It is time for you, Wike, to let go of the past and allow Governor Sim Fubara the breathing space he needs to lead Rivers State forward. Allow him to focus on the challenges of good governance and the aspirations of the people. Spare him these unwarranted and ill-conceived political manoeuvrings founded on personal agenda and not for general good of Rivers State and her people.
I may have lost my investment on Wike, but I have not lost hope in the future of Rivers State. And together, we will continue to strive for a brighter tomorrow.
Long Live the Governor to Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara!
Long Live the Good People of Rivers State!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Engr Ikuru is former Deputy Governor of Rivers State.

Tele Ikuru

Issues

Is Okocha A Happy Man Being Perpetual Hireling?

Published

1 month ago

March 15, 2024

The Tide

The man Tony Okocha, the devastated tattered ragtag remnant Rivers APC factional, but Caretaker, Chairman, is known for being notoriously a hireling willing to play in the mud just for the pay or settlement. To Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, he did against Chief Nyesom Wike. To Senator Magnus Abe, he did against Rotimi Amaechi. To Chief Nyesom Wike, he did against Magnus Abe. Having maintained such unbefitting character trait, it is not surprising to see him at his demeaned best showing off his tainted skill of grandstanding and loquaciously struggling fruitlessly almost every day to castigate the popular Rivers people’s Governor with very glaring false, bogus and unsubstantiated claims such as:
1. That Governor Fubara is wasting state fund in the name of thanksgiving across 23 Local Government Areas.
2. That Governor Fubara has withheld Local Government funds.
3. That Governor Fubara runs the government without input from the State Executive Council.
4. That nothing is happening in the State with respect to governance.
To the above false claims of Tony Okocha, every reasonable, right thinking and well-meaning Rivers person would effortlessly puncture all as rascality and mendacity taken too far.
Apart from the fact that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had said he is not sponsoring the massive SIMplified Movement Thanksgiving events across the Local Government Areas of the State being organised by elated Rivers people who feel liberated from an era of overbearing and suppressive form of leadership in the State, Tony Okocha should be asked to prove his false claim with indisputable facts and figures. Until then, let Tony Okocha respect himself and learn to keep quiet as an elderly person who is saddled with such a responsible position as Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board. A position that places a huge responsibility on him to ensure that the core objectives of the commission are actualised in the State, by not only ensuring that Rivers State gets its fair share of its dues in terms of projects, programmes and activities, but by synergising with the state government on development matters concerning the state vis-a-vis the responsibilities of NDDC to the State. In summary, the SIMplified Movement is all about a happy and joyful people of Rivers State who have decided to stand and stick together to defend and uphold their common heritage and patrimony. It is a voluntary venture, not sponsored by the government.
To his claim that the Governor has withheld Local Government funds, Mr Tony Okocha should also be asked to prove that with facts and figures and explain why the Governor would do such. More so, what is Tony Okocha’s business, assuming, but not conceding, that a PDP Governor withholds money against PDP-led 23 Local Government authorities? Did Local Government workers across the state complain to Okocha, the meddlesome hireling, an acclaimed APC Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers State?
On his ignorant and false claim that the Governor runs the government without input from the state exco, Okocha, the busybody wannabe should explain how he was employed or engaged as the spokesperson of members of the Rivers State Executive Council. He should also tell us his source of information to that effect, if it is not just a proof that he is making himself known as a perpetually irredeemable hireling notoriously good for playing the spoiler’s role.
On Mr Okocha’s assertion, probably, borne out of lack of more convincing lies, that nothing is happening in the State with respect to governance, is sure a proof that the man is only acting a bad and an unsellable script to justify the reward of expected gratifying filthy lucre, which is the compelling reason for condescending so low and evilly so. How else is governance measured, if not by executing meaningful and impactful projects, giving hope, inspiring and putting smiles on the faces of the people with joy of fulfilment in their hearts, both civil servants and everyone living and doing business in the State? Is Okocha blind to see and deaf to hear of the good works of the Governor Fubara led Rivers State Government? Civil servants are happy, teachers are highly elated. Several projects are ongoing. Investors are trooping in. The health sector, education, agriculture, sports have been highly boosted under Governor Fubara-led administration. To Okocha, there’s no governance in the State because patronage of free money is not getting to him from the Governor but from other sources that are likely against the Governor.
Let Tony Okocha weep more. Rivers State is breathing fresh air already and is liberated.
Let Tony Okocha tell us how he has, so far, as Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), clearly effected development in the State through the NDDC, and why he lied that there was Cholera outbreak with deaths recorded in Soku in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area with the intent of raking in about ¦ N5billion for non-existent mitigation programmes?

Odike is Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Social/New Media .

Bernard C. Idike

Issues

Day Asari-Toru Declared Massive Support For Fubara

Published

2 months ago

March 11, 2024

The Tide

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly known as FDR, was an American statesman and politician who served as the 32nd President of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. He was a member of the Democratic Party and is the only United States President to have served more than two terms.
In one of his popular quotes, he said, “The creed of our democracy is that liberty is acquired and kept by men and women who are strong and self-reliant, and possessed of such wisdom as God gives mankind – men and women who are just, and understanding, and generous to others — men and women who are capable of disciplining themselves. For they are the rulers and they must rule themselves.”
This explains the recent gathering of creme la creme of Asari-Toru political gladiators converged at the inauguration of the Simplified Movement, ASALGA chapter to reiterate their unflinching support for the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara whose mantra revolves around liberation.
The event which took place at the Autograph in Port Harcourt on the 1st of March, 2024, to galvanise strong support for Governor Fubara attracted over 500 members of the Simplified Movement from the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The gathering of supporters of Governor Fubara’s government, under the umbrella of the Simplified Movement, the ASALGA chapter led by an astute politician, former member of the Federal House of Representatives and two- time member of the Rivers State Executive Council as Commissioner, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall comprised both the old and young generation political helmsmen drawn from all the 13 Wards of the local government area.
The nerve-““““““wracking gathering had the likes of the 1999 democratic system pioneer Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council and former two-time Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Hon. Opakirite Mackson Jackreece; former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Adokiye Young-Harry; former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Daisy West and former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Chief Hon. Iboroma Norman Wokoma.
Others were the incumbent Vice Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council, Hon. (Mrs.) Tekena Wokoma; former Commissioner of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Hon. Dr. Hope Barango; the South-West Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Sule Amachree and the Secretary of the Local Government chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Cladious Princewill; former Chief of Staff of Council, Hon. Ajumogobia West and former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ASALGA, Hon. Onari Awo Tariah.
Also present at the event were past caretaker committee chairmen of the Local Government Council including, Hon. Waite Harry, Hon. Dawari Hamilton Ibinabo, Hon. Wright Warmate and former Deputy Mayor of the Port Harcourt City Council, Hon. Adokiye Horsfall amongst others. My humble self belongs to the movement. The list is inexhaustible.
Speaking at the inauguration, the member representing Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency and leader of the Asari-Toru political family, Hon. Boma Goodhead assured the people of the commitment of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to extend visible dividends of democracy to the people of ASALGA.
The federal lawmaker who spoke through her representative, Dr. Sule Amachree, said Governor Fubara means well for Rivers people, particularly the people of ASALGA and urged them to remain calm, peaceful and resolute in their support to the administration of the State Governor.
“His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is the Governor ordained by God to liberate Rivers people from the snares of poverty and oppression. He is God-sent to bring visible and even development to Rivers State and Asari-Toru people are on the top of that agenda of development,” she said.
Hon. Goodhead reiterated her confidence in the capacity of the leader of the Simplified Movement, ASALGA chapter, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall to mobilise massive support and a huge source of encouragement for the Government of Sir Siminalayi Fubara to succeed.
“I urge you to continue to stand firm with our Governor. Be rest assured that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is a man of peace, focused and determined to deliver on the mandate given to him by the people of Rivers State. He will not fail you,” she said.
In his speech, the leader of the ASALGA chapter of the Simplified Movement, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall described the movement as a child of necessity born out of the hunger of Rivers people for a paradigm shift from oppression to liberation.
“As witnessed across the length and breadth of Rivers State, the Simplified Movement is a child of necessity, born out of the hunger for a paradigm shift from oppression to liberation, with one core objective to promote and defend the interests of Rivers State and her people. It is on this account, we stand as dependable allies giving strong support to the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara in his pursuit of peace and commitment to the genuine development of Rivers State.
“It is our position that with the elections come and gone, it is practically a time to face governance and to ensure deliverables of dividends to the people of Rivers State in the atmosphere of peace, security and stability,” he said.
Chief Samuel Horsfall explained that Rivers people saw the leadership qualities needed to achieve the sole objective to genuinely defend and promote the interest of the State in Governor Fubara, hence the spontaneous massive support expressed in the birth of the Simplified Movement.
He recounted avalanche of achievements made by Governor Fubara within six months in office. “We appreciate the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his resilience and determination to make a difference. It is on record and attestable by all, the numerous projects being executed by his administration.
“Such as the ongoing construction of the gigantic Port Harcourt Ring Road project, the 20,000 housing units for low income earners, the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity road, the near completion of the 10km Old Port Harcourt-Bori road, the Emohua-Kalabari road, the 6.5km Woji-Alesa-Refinery link road and the inclusion of the remaining part of the Trans-Kalabari road project in the 2024 budget. “Moreover, the promotion of the State civil servants, first time in history payment of N100,000.00 Christmas bonus to civil servants across board, approval of promotions and implementation of N30,000.00 minimum wage for local government workers and the N4 billion single digit interest loans facility for Small and Medium Scale business operators in Rivers State. All these achievements within six months in office are eloquent testimonies of Governor Fubara to deliberately improve the welfare of Rivers people.
“We are convinced that such a proven great mind and well experienced, tested and trusted administrator/technocrat, Governor Fubara has demonstrated the capacity to deliver effectively the needed democratic dividends to Rivers people. It is on this convention we are gathered here for the umpteenth time to reaffirm our unalloyed support and commitment to his administration,” Chief Samuel Horsfall declared.
He disclosed that the gathering was to put in place citizens mobilisation strategy to forge a collaborative bond with the Governor to foster partnership for the development of ASALGA and the State. He, therefore, advised those he called detractors of Governor Fubara’s administration to desist forthwith and allow the Governor to remain focused in his quest to deliver on his mandate.
“All detractors should desist from further attacks on the Governor and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and allow the Governor to focus on the delivery of the good policies and programmes to Rivers people. We unequivocally condemn attempts by disgruntled Abuja politicians to employ intimidation antics against the former Speaker of the 10th State Assembly and current Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and others who are standing on the path of justice and good conscience for the collective good of Rivers State.
“We equally urge the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to be discreet in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities in the State and not to allow themselves to be used by selfish individuals who do not mean well to fuel political crisis in Rivers State.
Chief Samuel Horsfall also commended the federal lawmaker, Hon. Boma Goodhead for her doggedness and resilience in supporting Governor Fubara since the wake of the political crisis in the State.
Several other personalities spoke to express their support to the State Governor and urged the people to ASALGA to maintain their peaceful disposition and remain steadfast in the Simplified Movement to give the state government maximum support to continue to render good governance to Rivers people.
Highlights of the event were the inauguration of the elders and stakeholders of the Simplified Movement for the 13 Wards as well as the executive committee of the movement in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.