From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Frontline ex- militant leader Chief Ebikabowei Victor-Ben, aka General Boyloaf, has called on Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to shun sycophants and pursue reconciliation with former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
Boyloaf, who expressed concern over the delay in bringing the political crisis in the state to an end, accused those fueling the crisis for doing so because of personal enrichment.
According to him those encouraging Fubara would not be anywhere near him if something untoward happens to his mandate as Governor of Rivers State.
“By now Fubura should be ensuring that peace reigns in Rivers State. God forbid something happen to his mandate; the same sycophants will be the first to abuse him. He should engage other peace-loving leaders to intervene and ensure reconciliation is achieved as soon as possible” he added.
Boyloaf insisted that Wike is very important to the Niger Delta region because of the battle he waged to ensure that the Tinubu Presidency became a reality when other Niger Delta elders were rooting for another northerner to rule.
He also urged Fubura to take a cue from the relationship between former governor now Senator Seriake Dickson and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa state, noting that “the peaceful and harmonious relationship between Dickson and Diri was due to patience, understanding and loyalty.
“Look at Senator Douye Diri and Senator Dickson. When Dickson helped Douye Diri to become Governor with the assistance of the Almighty, despite all temptations, Diri refused to be drawn into battle with his predecessor.
“It shows Diri was grateful and loyal, which led Dickson to work openly and vigorously for the second term bid of Diri. It showed that they worked for the peace of Bayelsa state and they refused to allow sycophants to divide them”
Boyloaf cautioned those self-acclaimed pro-Fubura supporters threatening to make Rivers ungovernable if Fubara is removed from office, adding that such utterances are divisive.
On the repeated attempts by some few politicians to turn the Rivers State crisis into an ethnic battle, Boyloaf dismissed the attempts as shameful, stressing that “Wike has proven himself to be more of an Ijaw man by actions, than many Ijaw elders and leaders, given his disposition to the empowerment and development of Ijaw sons and daughters.”
“Wike fought vigorously for the retention of an Ijaw son as Managing Director of the NDDC. When it was time to nominate the EDFA of the NDDC, Wike nominated an Ijaw Man. Wike again fought for an Ijaw man, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, to become the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil). He ensured a smooth succession of the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB. When Wike was fighting these battles for the Ijaw people, a Former Minister, who is an Ijaw man, was busy fighting against the interest of the Ijaw people.”