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Let’s Play Decent Politics, Wike Challenges Opponents
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has harped on the need for politicians to play decent politics.
He said, in all his political journey, the use of violence has never been part of measures adopted to achieve his political goals.
Wike spoke when he inaugurated the Okrika Founder’s Park, last Saturday, in Koniju-Ama in Okrika Local Government Area.
Wike said it was unfortunate that the likes of Senator Lee Maeba, who was still stuck in politics of violence, could be accusing him of violence.
He wondered why Senator Lee Maeba would allege that political thugs were sent by him to invade his house, an incidence police report had invalidated.
“Two days ago, I was watching TV, it’s unfortunate, I saw Lee Maeba, Austin Opara, Abiye Sekibo, saying that my humble self sent people to Lee Maeba’s house to attack him, to kill him. I couldn’t believe it.
“But you saw the commissioner of police’s report. He said, ‘listen, your house is surrounded by houses. You have two gates to your house, not one gate was damaged, not one.
“The cars you said were damaged are rickety cars; no brand-new cars were touched. Have you ever seen such?”
Wike said he thought that by now, people should have a limit to how far they can play politics.
He stated that by the allegations made by Senator Lee Maeba, the man was pushing issues too far, adding that instead of playing politics of violence, he would rather resort to using legal means.
“But you see, I laugh. I said God, well, you know the truth. But people are pushing politics too far. I am sleeping, you are waking me up. When I wake up, whatever you see, you take.
“Please, advise our people not to play the kind of politics they are playing. Let’s play decent politics. Anybody who knows me knows too well, my own is: if I want to fight you, I don’t need to send anybody, I will go to court.”
Wike eulogised Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka as an Okrikan who mean well for his people, and has invested personal resources to provide the Founder’s Park.
He noted that with such gesture, Amiesimaka had distinguished himself from those who were self-seeking, used their political positions to enrich themselves, instead of ensuring construction of the ring road in Okrika.
“Some of you don’t even know how to play politics. If Owolo comes now to his community and calls them, my people, see where I want us to go, why will you not follow him?
“Because, see what he has used his money to do. Again, see, by doing this; see what it has attracted to your kingdom. This is what we call people who have good heart. Stop listening to people who are liars.”
Wike spoke of the prevailing peace in Okrika, which he attributed to the contribution of the Amanyanabo of Okochiri-Ama, King Ateke Tom, in support of his administration.
The Rivers State governor also commended Amiesimaka for being a forthright man, who rejected all entreaties to join in implicating him.
Wike noted that some of them have advanced politically, and are where they are because people like Amiesimaka stood on the side of truth.
“I feel home being here. I want this relationship to continue. Don’t allow an individual to break the relationship. Don’t allow an individual’s selfish interest to break the relationship.
“Ordinarily, if things were to be done well, Okrika should have one of the finest jetties in the country. But everybody will give account of himself on the last day.
The governor used the occasion to recognise King Nelson Atubo Oputibeya as the Amanyanabo of Koniju.
In his speech, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, said he sought after a legacy to bequeath to Koniju people, and decided to embark on the project that took 15 months to deliver.
According to him, the Founder’s Park consists of the Amakoromabo Owu-Okolo, the entrance, pavilion, sports arena, the Amanyanabo sitting area for outdoor meetings, modern toilets and showers, and solar-wired lighting facilities.
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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