Kalabaris Drum Support For Amaechi …Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality Proud Of Son’s Huge Success

Kalabari people in Rivers State have pledged to support Governor Chibuike Amaechi all the way, while soliciting to mend any perceived differences between the Presidency and the governor.

They made their stance public when they paid a solidarity visit to Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi yesterday in Government House, Port Harcourt.

Speaking through the Amayanabo of Kalabari, King Theophilus Princewill who was represented by the Amayanabo of Abonnema, Chief Disrael Bob-Manuel, they specially commended the governor for the effort and role he played in securing oil rich Kalabari lands of Kula and Soku.

‘’May we use this opportunity to thank Your Excellency for the swiftness and persistence with which you had committed to this battle to restore Soku and other Kalabari communities to the Kalabari kingdom,’’ they said.

Besides, they lauded Amaechi for all the developmental projects sited on their land, and for which they acknowledged  that the gesture had led to transformation of their land and people, further noting that the various scholarships which their sons and daughters had benefitted had put the governor head above others.

The group however reminded the governor of the neglect the border towns had suffered over the years due to their location and urged him to embark on massive developmental projects in those areas and also called for the siting of a tertiary institution in their area.

In the same vein, member of House of Representatives representing Degema / Bonny Federal Constituency, Hon Sokonte Davies who later read a full text of the Kalabari delegation’s address lauded Governor Amaechi for providing purposeful visionary leadership for the state.

Hon Davies remarked, “ 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 time’’.

The representative submitted that the people would want to see an end to the alleged crisis between the governor and the Presidency,”we are not merely calling on you and the president to settle your differences, we are offering ourselves as emissaries and mediators. We do not want history to judge us harshly, as having stood by when two brothers had a slight misunderstanding which we allowed to grow into huge conflagration.’’

He congratulated the governor for his re-election as Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum(NGF) and assured him of the unflinching support of the Kalabari people.

Responding later, Governor Amaechi commended them for their visit while urging them to be forthright in their support.

Amaechi said, “ there is no room for sitting on the fence’’ as he called on the people to stand up in defence of their rights, adding, “ I’am a son of the Kalabari people and what we are fighting is a just cause to protect what belongs to us’’.

Amaechi promised to complete all the projects he has started in the area, especially the Trans-Kalabari Road, which he promised to take to Bakana before his exit.

For the boundary communities, the governor promised to build a health care centre at Bille and construct a Model Secondary School in Buguma, and assured that when once they provide the land he would build a world class referral hospital at Degema.

Meanwhile, the people of Ikwerre ethnic nationality of Rivers State have pledged their support for the Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

In a 10-point communiqué at the end of a one-day summit in Port Harcourt last Monday, the Ikwerre ethnic nationality in their large numbers including first-class chiefs and traditional rulers, Ogbakor Ikwerre cultural organization worldwide, opinion leaders, the clergy and the youth, stated their resolve to support Governor Amaechi as he faces his current travails.

They condemned the unjustified attacks and campaign of calumny against the Rivers State Governor and said they were proud of Amaechi’s impressive performance in the state since he became governor in 2007.

The communiqué read by the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre worldwide at the Government House main gate, Port Harcourt, was signed by Augustine Onyeozu, President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre worldwide, Chief Andrew Uchendu of the House of Representatives and HRM Eze (Dr) Frank Eke, Eze Oha Evo, Eze Gbakagbaka and former Deputy Governor of old Rivers State.

“We endorse fully the open letter written to Mr. President by Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide requesting Mr. President to direct security operatives to stop the underserved embarrassment being meted to the Governor. His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State has every right as any other Nigerian to freedom of association and liberty as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended). We call on all true sons and daughters of Ikwerreland to rally round the Governor of Rivers State in the ardous task of running the affairs of the state”.We urge the Governor of the State to respond promptly to any invitation by Mr. President on any matter whatsoever for the resolution of any misunderstanding”.

Responding on behalf of the governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii, thanked them for peacefully conducting themselves. He said the Amaechi administration was ever committed to the development of the state.

He assured that Governor Amaechi would give all support to the police and other security agencies to protect lives and property of the people of the state.

“I will also want to recognise that all other ethnic nationalities in the state are in fact united in saying that the administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has delivered on its promises to the people and we want to assure ourselves that yes, you are not alone with all other ethnic nationalities in supporting of this administration and the administration will remain committed to delivering the dividends of democracy”.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru (right), being presented with the Wise Woman Award plague by the founder of True Vine Women International, Pastor (Helpmeet) Ene Secondus,(left) awarded her by a UK-based Charity in Port Harcourt, yesterday