Recall that Wike, the immediate past governor
of the oil-rich state, has been locked in a political battle with his
successor, Sim Fubara, over control of the state.
Also, there has been tension in Rivers State
after Saturday’s Local Government Areas election, where Action People’s Party
(APP) swept the polls in 22 of the 23 local governments.
Bode George, in a statement on
Monday, raised concerns over recent political developments in Rivers State,
warning that if not addressed, they could lead to a crisis with far-reaching
security implications for Nigeria, West Africa, and Africa at large.
The PDP chieftain asked Tinubu to prevail on
Wike to allow Governor Fubara to work and deliver dividends of democracy to the
residents of the state.
Bode George added that President Tinubu would
be the biggest loser if democracy in Rivers State gets truncated.
He said,“Now that people of Rivers State have
boldly asserted their civic and constitutional rights by coming out to vote in
the Local Government election on Saturday, this is the time for former governor
of the state and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to allow Governor Siminalayi
Fubara work and deliver dividend of democracy to the people.
“This is also the time for President Bola
Tinubu to advise Wike, who is one of his ministers, to allow the governor to
work.
“I say this with all sense of responsibility
because if this democracy is truncated, God forbid, Tinubu, as the
Commander-in-Chief, will be the biggest loser.
“All lovers of democracy will agree with me
that political happenings in this oil-bearing state in the last few months, if
allowed to continue, can lead to a re-enactment of the crisis in the defunct
Western Region between 1962 and 1966 which eventually led to the first military
coup of January 15, 1966. Many of our national figures were killed and events
of that day led to a second coup on July 29, 1966 when scores of military
officers were killed.
“Since history is no longer taught in our
schools, I want to remind the gladiators in this Rivers crisis that the January
and July 1966 killings eventually led to the civil war between July 6, 1967 and
January 15, 1970. Close to two million Nigerians died in the war.
“I am raising this alarm because what is
happening in Rivers now is a cause for serious concern for everyone.
“My understanding of this man-made crisis is
that there is a despotic, divisive, wicked and anti-people design to create a
conflagration which may eventually consume our country.
“We all know the economic importance of Rivers
to the survival of this nation. It is the gateway to the Niger Delta.
“Any threat to peace in this state will
eventually lead to huge security implications, not only for Nigeria but West
Africa and Africa. It is good to have political ambition, to be the alpha and
omega in a partisan setting but this ambition must not be at variance with the
expectations of the people.”
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