The Rivers state elders Forum on Wednesday, November 1, blamed the governor of the state, Sim Fubara for the political crisis in the state.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the 21 elders led by Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, said that the hasty reaction of the governor escalated the situation into what it is today.
The elders, who exonerated the former governor of the state and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike from the crisis, added that the allegations against Wike are wicked, unfair and satanic.
"The hasty reaction of the Governor has now pitched him H.E. Sim Fubara and the State Assembly members in an all-out battle that has led to the activation of the process of impeachment of the Governor. The Governor neither sought the help, clarification or intervention of H.E. Nyesom Wike or of the elders on these developments, nor did he discourage damaging lies to be peddled against H.E. Nyesom Wike. H.E. Nyesom Wike has been viciously attacked by Sections of the media and public as the evil mastermind of a scheme or series of events, he was neither involved in or privy to. That false stories were peddled that H.E. Wike demanded money from the Governor in order to discredit him before a gullible public. We confirm that the allegations are wicked, unfair and satanic."
According to the elders, Wike invested heavily in infrastructural development of Rivers State, adding that he was selfless and applied the the State judiciously. They stated that Wike did not misappropriate Rivers State funds or steal the funds and that insinuation that he was asking for money from his successor is most unfortunate and regrettable.
The Elders, who said that Wike has consistently fought for and defended the interest of Rivers State, added that "at our visit to H.E. Nyesom Wike, elders assured him of our steadfast, complete and undiluted loyalty. We apologized for the embarrassment caused him by the Governor, H.E. Sim Fubara and all others who played various roles in the unfortunate drama.
"We vehemently condemn the intrusion by some Ijaw leaders from other States who so soon have forgotten that it was H.E. Wike who insisted on producing a Rivers Governor of Ijaw extraction and paid a heavy political price in the process. He has done more for Ijaw sons and ethnic nationality than most of these leaders."
The elders revealed that Wike's efforts to make Sim Fubara Governor was rejected and opposed largely by Ijaws than any other tribe or ethnic group.
"We advise those encouraging H.E. Sim Fubara to engage in a needless and fruitless battle with H.E. Wike to desist forthwith and allow the Governor concentrate on consolidating on the extraordinary achievements of H.E. Wike while he was governor.
We caution the new friends of Governor Sim Fubara to retract their steps before they throw the state into deeper crisis. We stand with H. E. Wike and Rivers State.''
Watch a video of them speaking below
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