President-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has called on the warring factions in the Rivers State government to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign.
Iwuanyanwu who fielded questions from journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital, said that the misunderstanding between former governor Nyesom Wike group, the House of Assembly members on one hand and Governor Siminalayi Fubara should be resolved amicably in the interest of peace, development and the people of Rivers State, the entire Eastern region and Nigeria in general.
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He said Ohanaeze Ndigbo is viewing the crisis situation between the governor and the members of the House of Assembly with great concern and is not comfortable with the same.
The Ohanaeze leader highlighted that both former Governor Wike and his successor are their children/sons and wondered why they could not come to a round table conference and resolve whatever is the issue so that Rivers State will progress and move forward for transformational development.
He was of the view that only the FCT Minister Wike and Governor Fubara will be able to resolve the crisis situation and the earlier they do it the better.
He emphasised that Port Harcourt is more or less a Commercial heartbeat of Eastern Nigeria and any problem that affects it or Rivers State will have a ripple effect in the entire region.
He recalled that soon after the civil war when there was a similar problem, the leaders of Eastern Nigeria met at the Presidential Hotel Port Harcourt and formed a Council of Eastern Nigeria Business Leaders.
According to him, he was elected president of the association which had prominent leaders of Eastern Nigeria from Rivers State such as Alagbo Graham Douglas, Chief Lulu Briggs, Chief Ombo Isokariri, Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu, Chief Emmanuel Agumah who was recently given one of the Heroic Awards in Enugu last year by Ohanaeze Ndigbo as one of its founding fathers, Chief Melford Okilo, Eze Wolluchem and Professor Leton as members among others.
Iwuanyanwu said that the association collectively played major roles in fighting for the neglect of Niger Delta as well as contributed immensely to the increase of the revenue allotted to the region.
He said since the principal actors in the crisis are “our sons”, everything possible must be done to bring a lasting solution to the problems as the crisis situation pays no one any good.
Chief Iwuanyanwu highlighted that it is the view of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that everything must be done to ensure smooth and good governance in Rivers State under the present administration.
He said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo intended to invite the two principal actors, the FCT Minister Wike and Governor Fubara to a meeting with the view of getting the matter resolved without any party losing face.