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Unchecked Marginalisation Fuels Insecurity, Wike Insists
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has noted that peace and security would remain elusive across Nigeria, if the majority tribes and those who think they have dominance over others continue to marginalise them.
Wike asserted that for there to be an enduring future for Nigeria, all Nigerians must see themselves as equal stakeholders in the project called Nigeria.
He spoke at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday, when the management of New Telegraph Newspaper, led by the Managing Director and Editor- in-Chief, Mr. Ayodele Aminu, presented its letter nominating him as the Political Icon of the Year, 2022.
Wike said, “The problem in this country today is not only as a result of the banditry or kidnapping, no. Part of the issues that have to do with security is the issue of marginalisation.
“And I continue to tell our people or those who believe that they are dominant, you need peace for you to preside over those who you think do not have the number. You need peace. If there is no peace, it will be difficult.”
Wike took a retrospective look at how things stand in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and said it was evidence of marginalisation of a section of the country.
He observed that because the zoning principle had been jettisoned in the PDP, coupled with the lack of seriousness to allow for inclusivity, convincing Nigerians to believe that the party can rescue the country was becoming a more difficult task.
The governor insisted that blackmail cannot diminish the demand for the national chairmanship position to be relinquished to the South.
According to him, the National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, had promised to resign his position should the presidential candidate of the party emerge from the North.
“He made that commitment because he knew that it will not be equitable, there will be no fairness and justice, if the presidential candidate comes from the same zone with him. And people are trivialising the issue. Why do you trivialise the issue?”
Speaking further, the Rivers State governor reaffirmed that his allies were resolved to continue the demand for the return of the national chairmanship position to the South.
Wike maintained that Ayu was corrupt, because he had not been able to account for the N11billion realised from the party’s primaries, and N100million he got from a governor.
“If you like, abuse us the way you want to abuse us, but we will stand by what we have said. If you say you will not relinquish that position to the South, no problems. Go ahead, but you can’t force us to do what we think is not right; we will not do it. So, this kind of man cannot, in all honesty, take this party to any victory. He cannot!”
Wike berated the former presidential aspirant of the PDP, Mr Dele Momodu, for trivialising the issues affecting the party and seeking cheap recognition.
“All these professional praise singers and beggars who have nothing to offer, just to rally round the presidential candidate, looking for what they will eat, are beginning to abuse people. Those who even contested the primary without one vote are those who are talking: A presidential aspirant becoming a spokesperson to a presidential candidate!”
Wike alleged that Momodu was also an unstable character whose words cannot be taken seriously.
The governor also blamed the media as being part of the problem of Nigeria because they had lost the courage to speak truth to power and hold leaders accountable.
He wondered why the media was bold to speak against former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, and have now lost sincerity of purpose to hold people in position and those jostling for public offices, accountable of what they say and do.
In his speech, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of New Telegraph Newspaper, Mr.AyodeleAminu, said they had in 2017 awarded Wike the award as the Governor of the Year in Infrastructure because of his contributions in Rivers and leadership in the PDP.
According to him, they have continued to follow his track records of performance, and healthy politicking that has given true meaning to democratic governance in the country.
Aminu said they were delighted to have him as the winner of the award as the Political Icon of the Year 2022 because it fits no one else but him.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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