Rivers SDP Leader Dumps Party, Declares Support For Fubara 

The Rivers South East Chairman of the Social Democratic Party ( SDP), Chief Mike Amakiri, and his teeming supporters have dumped the party and declared their support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Speaking at an event organized by Ida Obolo Sim Vanguard in Port Harcourt, Chief Amakiri said his decision to support the Governor was in appreciation of his excellent performance within the few months in office.
He said it was incumbent on all ethnic nationalities in Rivers State to support Governor Siminialaye Fubara as the Ijaws had as well supported other Governors before him.
According to him, power comes from God and Rivers State cannot have two governors at the same time, adding that Governor Siminalayi Fubara deserves the support of all ethnic nationalities to enable him develop the State.
Chief Amakiri who  was also the leader of SDP in Andoni Local Government Area emphasmed that the Ijaws in Rivers State had supported other Governors since 1999, stressing that it was time for other ethnic groups  in the state to reciprocate by giving their full and unflinching support to the state governor.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Edison Ehie, has declared that Governor Fubara’s eight years tenure as Governor of Rivers State was already guaranteed in view of the monumental development projects going on across the state.
The Speaker who was represented by a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Evans Bipi, also said equity and justice demand that Sir Fubara completes his eight years as other governors before him had done
Rt Hon. Ehie who spoke while welcoming Chief Amakiri into the fold of the ‘Simplified’ family noted that power comes from God and there was nothing any body could do about it.
He said the time had come for Rivers people to speak up, adding that this was not the time for people to sit on the fence.
The Speaker urged the former SDP leader to show both in words and actions that he belongs to the Fubara political family by reaching out to those who are still sitting on the fence.
He commended him for being the first to declare  public support for Governor Fubara and charged him to ensure that Andoni  Local Government Area is ‘Simplified’.
Also speaking, the leader of Ida Obolo Sim Vanguard, Engr Kingston Silvanus said  the  occasion was an indication that men of value and influence were beginning to identify with Governor Fubara.
He also said with the defection of Chief Amakiri to the Sir Fubara political family, the Governor had no more opposition in Andoni Local Government Area.
Engr Silvanus who is a former Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area described Chief Amakiri as one of the greatest politicians in Andoni, adding that his defection was a big sign of relief to the Ida Obolo Sim Vanguard and the entire Sir Siminalaye Fubara political family in Rivers state.
“Men of value and great people of wisdom and influence are identifying with the Governor.
“Iam happy that Chief Amakiri has identified with the Governor and the people of Andoni are happy to see chief Amakiri and his teeming supporters identify with the Governor”, he said.
The Ida Obolo Sim Vanguard leader also said the organisation was happy over the victory of Sir Fubara and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ) at the Court of Appeal.
Earlier, the Coordinator, Ida Obolo Sim Vanguard, Chief-elect Fred Uwuikor  Usende, said Chief Amakiri had taken the right decision, stressing that he was entitled to all rights and privileges as far as Ida Obolo Sim Vanguard is concerned.
He urged Obolo sons and daughters to emulate Chief Amakiri by also coming out to support the Governor.

By: John Bibor