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- Says Presidency does not want state of emergency in Rivers
- Chides Edwin Clark for fuelling crises
From Idu Jude, Abuja
A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr Garus Gololo, has showered praises on the Governor of Rivers State, Simi Fubara, on the matured way he chose to handle the crises in his state by subscribing to peace and shining the way of those calling for war.
Dr Gololo, in a press chart with Journalists in Abuja Wednesday, stated that the Governor irrespective of numerous calls for war, chose to ignore such but signed for lasting peace as the chief security officer of the state.
Rivers state, it could be recalled, has been enmeshed in political upheaval, when 26 state Assembly members, defected to the ruling All Progressive Congress APC, alleging crises in PDP.
This was followed by countless crises that also led to alleged impeachment of the Governor, as well as sacking of his cabinet members.
While commending, Governor Simi Fubara’s effort to bring peace to his people and shun calls from agents of crises, noted that well meaning individuals from the South South have failed to wade into the matter before President Bola Tinubu did. He said that such crises would have plunged the state into a state of emergency declaration, which means the death of democracy in Rivers State, till further notice.
Meanwhile, the former APC BOT member, has chided well known Niger Delta elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, on his call for war in his own region.
Dr Gololo, said: “I respect Chief Edwin Clark so much, I regard him as a father, but I was disappointed at his call for continued crises in Rivers State more especially when The president has waded into the matter.
I thought at his level he should be calling for peace meetings between the warring parties and also commend efforts put in ameliorating it. But he did none rather he chose to take on Mr President waded in and called both parties to order. We all know that Rivers State is a volatile area as far as politics is concerned, so the approach to settle this matter must be a technical one not the way everyone wants it. Again, People like Edwin Clark, should know that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is not the President of APC, but President of Nigeria, which Rivers State is an integral part and does not want to declare emergency rule in the State and we should know also that peace is what Nigerians want across all states of the Federation.”
He however, advised the Elder States man to henceforth start speaking for the benefit of his people not to feather his nest.
“I say this because, Edwin Clark in his records, have never spoken on issues that benefit the Niger Delta except what nourishes his personal life. I have watched him with keen interest but had failed to notice him advocate for the payment of the 13 percent oil derivation to the host communities. That derivation, was approved by General Sani Abacha and also was repeated by former President Muhammadu Buhari yet Edwin Clark could do nothing to stop Governors from scuttling the money.”
While reacting to the defected members of the State Assembly, he said that those members, have the right to choose which party divide they belong, stressing that they can only be recalled by those they are representing.
He said that political parties like the people’s Democratic party PDP, leadership, should not be busy chasing shadows. But, should concentrate on planning for 2027 elections.
“Well I learnt they are planning to go to court, but I ask, whom are they suing? Maybe the Rivers state government who’s Governor, has to toe the way of peace instead of joining them in a senseless fight? I think all of us should meet at the court to know why they should be the ones to determine the choice of party people join.”
