From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
Women under the platform, Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS) have called on politicians to respect the office of the Rivers State governor.
Members of the group made the call during a peace walk in Port Harcourt on Thursday, condemning the political crisis in the state.
They stated that governor Siminalayi Fubara should not be distracted from governance, stressing that there could not be two governors at the same in Rivers.
A communique read by former Commissioner for Environment in the State, Professor Roseline Konya, also warned those who want to use their political ambitions to cause chaos in the state to shun their plans.
She said: “In view of the entire political situation in the state, we demand for genuine peace and ask for respect for the office of the state governor as enshrined in the constitution.
“We affirm our resolve to totally support the government led by Sir Siminialayi Fubara in his effort to protect Rivers State and actualise the dreams and aspirations of our people.
“As mothers, we warn those who intend to push their aspirations violently to desist from such henceforth.
“We also call on those individuals who undermine the office of the governor of Rivers State, as mothers, we unequivocally condemn this menace and advise those politicians to desist from such acts.”
The group further called on all lovers of peace in the state to join in building a better Rivers State.
Prof. Konya continued: “It is our resolve that every form of acrimony in the state endangers the dignity of Rivers people and the glory of Rivers State. As such, we urge Rivers people not to be discouraged, but to join in the collective effort of building a prosperous Rivers State.
“We, therefore, call on everyone living in the state and all true lovers of the state to lend our voices to strongly and consistently condemn in it’s entirety, all threats and forms of lawlessness and subtle invitation to anarchy in the state.
“We cannot have two governors at a time but only one. When one finishes, he leaves the seat and another comes and we all voted for Sir Siminialayi Fubara and nobody else can take that position until he finishes his eight years,” Prof Konya said.
The women also commended the peaceful disposition of the governor in the face of the crisis and assured that they would continue to galvanize support for his government and for peace in the state.
“We salute our amiable and courageous governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for choosing peace over chaos which is the ultimate strength. We also commend his peaceful disposition and people-oriented style of governance which our state needs most.
“We want to state unequivocally as mothers that we will continue to sensitize and mobilise our people until genuine and lasting peace comes to stay.”