Governor Nyesom Wike, says he has no lament clipping down on the prohibited Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in Rivers State because of his confidence in the solidarity of Nigeria.
He said Nigerians should consistently ascend to secure and protect the interest of the nation, and not permit parochial, nostalgic governmental issues to wreck the nation.
The lead representative expressed this when an appointment of Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) paid a solidarity visit to the Government House, Port Harcourt , to compliment him for his untiring endeavors and devotion to secure the interest of ethnic gatherings living in Rivers State.
The lead representative said the EndSARS fight was tranquil in the state until IPOB commandeered it, and submitted pyro-crime by murdering 6 Army officials, 4 Police officials, consumed police headquarters and courts.
As per him, he was unable to situate as lead representative and watch such untamed acts being executed by a body that has been banished by the government to cause ethnic war.
“With no conciliatory sentiment, I am a genuine Nigerian. I accept that things must be done appropriately such that each segment some portion of this nation will be fulfilled.”
Wike reiterated that he has never been against any particular ethnic group living in the State, including every law abiding Igbos.
He, however, maintained that as a governor he could not tolerate a situation where some misguided persons under the guise of IPOB would unleash attack on innocent Nigerians in Rivers State.
He explained that if the State Security Council was not proactive to impose curfew in the entire Oyigbo Local Government Area, the situation would have degenerated to war between Igbo and Hausa community residing in the area.
According to him, the decision forestalled ethnic reprisal attacks that would have led to total breakdown of law and order in Oyigbo local government area and parts of Diobu axis of the State capital.
Wike said all Nigerians must stand against injustice at all times no matter who is involved and be determined to work for the interest of the country.
He further asserted that he is a true Nigerian and would continue to work for its indivisibility.
CNG spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said they were in the State to express their profound gratitude to the Governor for his leadership, sacrifice, statesmanship, and unwavering commitment deployed in protecting Northern communities from the violence and violation of their rights and dignity during the mayhem in Oyigbo.
“Your concerned promptness in redeeming the solemn pledge of N200 million to the families of security personnel affected negatively by the flip side of the protests is certainly reassuring. We reasonably believe that if the federal authorities were to emulate the wisdom of offering such incentive to our troops on the front line, it would heighten their morale which is a present very low.”
The CNG craved the Governor’s indulgence to extend the same magnanimity to the unfortunate victims of the ugly side of the protests from Northern Nigeria to enable them start over.
“Similarly, we are impressed by your level of rare courage and uncompromising stance in the repudiation of the activities of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its fugitive leader Nnamdi Kanu in your state. this without doubt, is a commendable feat, because if leaders today need to hear the truth, they should be told that most of them have lost the energy and some of the courage to take responsibility in the interest of national sovereignty , national security, national peace and constitutionalism,” he said.
The delegation was led by the chairman board of trust of CNG, Nastura .A. Sheriff.
