Rivers crisis: N’Delta group resists intimidation of Gov Fubara’s supporters

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

Concerned Citizens of Niger Delta for Development (CCND), has warned against the alleged move by some stakeholders in Rivers State to clamp down on the supporters of Governor Simi Fubara.

The group’s coordinator, Wemimo Simple, and Secretary, Okudili Chinwo, in a statement yesterday, called on the governor’s supporters not to allow themselves to be bogged down by some individuals whom they accused of working to derail the peace in Rivers State.

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, in a statement had warned all Fubara support groups to forthwith desist from parading themselves, insisting that the state government does not recognize any group.

Reacting to the statement, Wemimo Simple, cautioned the Commissioner of against working to derail the positive steps of the governor to introduce the needed peace that is currently galvanizing the development stride in the state, warning that the Commissioner should join the governor to seek peace in the state rather than his current steps.

Simple noted that it was the initiatives of the governor that have earned him such support across the Niger Delta and the entire country, even as it noted that Governor Fubara’s simplicity has continued to endear him to more supporters across the country and abroad.

“These moves have no doubt earned the governor several supporters both within the Niger Delta and beyond, hence the numerous groups that have emerged to appreciate him. It is, therefore, obvious that some individuals would be against these peaceful support groups, as we have seen in the recent statement from the Commissioner for Information.

“These support groups are self-funded and have not in any way gone against any stakeholder or group in Rivers state. So our question is, what is the interest of the Commissioner and his likes in clamping them down? Does it mean they don’t like the current fragile peace in the state that had given a smooth route to development?

“Rather than clamping the Fubara supporters down, we urge stakeholders to join hands with them so that the state will grow faster and compete favorably with other Niger Delta states,” he said.