…Urges Elders To Intervene To Stop Impending Conflagration
…Says Wike, Fubara Should End Raging Feud
LAGOS – Bishop Dr. Joseph Ighalo Edoro, an Edo-born cleric and public affairs commentator, has taken a hard look at the raging political crisis in Rivers State, warning that there is a grand plot by some political gladiators and Fifth Columnists to destroy the oil-rich state.
Bishop Edoro, who spoke with Sunday Independent in Lagos on Saturday, called on the Rivers State Elders, statesmen and other impartial critical stakeholders to intervene as the crisis there is taking a weird dimension.
Dr Edoro lamented that the crisis is getting out of hand with the recent detonation of a bomb near the state-owned Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt.
The cleric said: “The feud between a political godfather and godson with special reference to the governorship position is not new to Nigerian politics.
“The eventual betrayal of the sponsor against his master and his benevolence is rife. From Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike and Sani Una of Kaduna State, these feuds are becoming too alarming in recent times.
“We remember that of Adams Oshiomhole and Godwin Obaseki of Edo State. The most recent and worrisome is that of Rivers State between Governor Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister.
“This feud, which I think stems from ego and control of men and resources, has taken a weird dimension, hampering progress and development.
“Unfolding events arising from this unholy alliance range from court cases to violent opposition and protests. The Wike men and Wike have vowed not to relent until they teach Fubara how not to be ungrateful, since they put him there.
“However, if their making Fubara a governor is of good intention, should Wike not allow him to do his job? What was his intention bringing him forward? Was it not for the betterment of Rivers State?
“What is going on? Must they govern Rivers State by proxy? No. Fubara has the right to re-negotiate his deal, having seen the enormous task ahead of him.
“Yes, Wike probably spent a lot of money. But, this is why our politics stinks. This feud has seen the State Assembly shut down, court cases, violence, and bomb blast in a state created by Gowon since 1967.
“I ask: where are the elders of Rivers State? The time has come now to call on Wike and Fubara to stop. This crisis is a grand design to destabilise the state. The avalanche of destabilisation is sweeping across and it is a design of the unscrupulous.”
Edoro lamented that Nigerian politicians only care about today and themselves, stressing that they do not fear God, but believe that life and death is in their pouches.
To the Elders, Bishop Edoro said: “It is time to stop Wike, please! For the sake of your people, it is time to stop Fubara. Why should the Elders allow them to plunge Rivers into crisis?
“Let peace reign in the land of treasure, lest your enemies mock you. Let all men of Rivers and friends of Rivers hurry to pray and intervene because he that fell like lightning is on the prowl.”