Rivers Leaders under the auspices of the “Rivers Leaders Forum”, have expressed their dismay and disgust over the repeated accusations against the Minister of the FCT and Former Governor of Rivers state, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS.
Speaking in a press briefing with News men in Port Harcourt, they criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara for blaming the minister for the explosion that occurred in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Senator Olaka Nwogu in his statement said It was implausible for the explosion to be linked to those who participated in a solidarity walk for Wike as the site of the explosion was not part of their route.The Explosion was said to have occurred at the Hotel Presidential axis of Aba road while the walk began from Civic Centre, Rumueme through Ikwerre Road and culminated at Rumuola.
Senator Olaka urged Governor Fubara to take responsibility for protecting the lives and properties in the state.
In the argument over the imposition of a State of emergency, Senator Olaka urged the Governor to function within the law, as there are actions he can take that could be seen as a call to Anarchy, even though he dismissed the claim as bogus and untrue.
He again criticised the establishment of caretaker committees for Local Government Administration, arguing that the action contradicts the amended law passed by the Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly. Furthermore, he described the move as an affront to President Bola Tinubu who had included a clause in his 8-point peace pact prohibiting the creation of Caretaker Committees to man the affairs of the Local Government in the State.
Also speaking, Chief Engr. Emeka Woke, the Director-General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency and former Chief of Staff to FCT Nyesom Wike, questioned why the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, allegedly took over responsibilities from the police and security agencies in handling the explosion incident.
He went further to ask how they were able to hold a press conference on the subject matter, ordered that health facilities be shut down, arrest the sold called suspect and made more stories around the matter. “Rivers people are tired of the Drama”.
Other notable figures at the press briefing included Rt Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly; Hon Ken Chikere, former member of the House of Representatives; Josiah Olu, former member of the State House of Assembly; Kenneth Kobani, former Secretary to the State Government.
Others are, Sampson Parker, former Commissioner for Health; Henry Ogiri, Commissioner National Population commission and former Executive Director of Finance and Administration at NDDC; and former Minority Leader in the Rivers state House of Assembly, Hon. Wisdom Wakama.
