Different reactions have been expressed by stakeholders in the Niger Delta as regards the state of emergency situation in Rivers State.
In his own reaction, High Chief Pere Ejune, a leader from Ajakorama in Egbema Kingdom of Edo State, warned President Bola Tinubu to thread softly and stop following FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s lead on the crisis.
“Nyesom Wike is just a figure in this matter who has taken the path of a rabblerouser for God knows which reason. Wike will not remain a Minister forever. Tinubu should take note and be careful how he lets him take decisions against the interest of the Ijaws.
“Wike is not bigger than the Ijaws and thus he should stop raising his shoulders like a tingod. We, the Ijaws, are bigger than him. He should just recall the different roles we played in his eventual emergence as a voice recognised across the country.
“Also President Tinubu should not let Wike to deceive him as per the 2027 Presidential elections. Wike cannot convince or force any Ijaw man or woman to vote for Tinubu. He, Tinubu, should recall that he ventured into Ijaw community during his campaign to solicit for vote which we promised on our honour to do.
“So, for Wike to now come out to be acting like a tingod is so confusing and a sign that he’s dishonest. He has done so much to denigrate the Ijaw ethnic nationality but I am telling him that he will get a well deserved reward for his act of betrayal of the Ijaws in due course.”
In his own reaction, Elder Sam Eboigbe, a stakeholder of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress(APC) in Edo State, lambast the suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for being the architect of his own problem.
“From the onset Fubara had it coming. He thwarted all the efforts of President Tinubu to broker peace between him and those against him in Rivers State. He pretended as if he was okay with the deal when it was been brokered in Aso Rock. But as soon as he returned to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital he changed course having listened to wrong advice from members of his clique.
“Where are they now that the story has degenerated to a state of emergency? They are no where to be found. They have left Fubara to carry his cross. That’s the way of the people of the world. Once they push you into a hole they quietly depart from you in different directions.
“For me, Fubara is an ungrateful person. How can you start fighting a man that went all the length to make sure you become somebody in life by winning the governorship election only for you to turn your back on him less than three months into your assumption of office.
“You want to pursue a landlord from his property. Where’s that done. I hope that by now Fubara has learnt his lessons and would act well when he returns to office in six months time.”
According to Edosa(pseudonym), a cab driver, “what’s playing out in Rivers State right now is a game of roulette whereby Wike is preparing ground for Tinubu’s victory in the state in 2027.
“Wike will do all he thinks will make Tinubu to come out tops in Rivers State in 2027 in the light of what’s considered the ongoing gang up against him by some cabal members ahead of the 2027 Presidential polls. Don’t ever believe that Tinubu will caution Wike on any action that he takes, good or bad.”
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