A solidarity visit was made by leaders of different ethnic nations in the Niger Delta to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in order to express gratitude from the region to President Bola Tinubu for having him in his cabinet.
Wike was also congratulated by the leaders of the Niger Delta on his appointment as minister.
Prof. A.W. Obianime, a former president of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), led the 60-member group of well-known Niger Delta leaders, according to a statement released by Dr. Kingsley Kuku on Saturday.
Regarding the current political developments in Rivers, the leaders pointed out that the state could not afford to be in a crisis because it was strategically important to the South-South area.
“As Lagos State is very dear to the South West, so is Rivers State to the Niger Delta. This is because as an injury to one is an injury to all, we feel justified to condemn the macabre dance playing out there.
“We join PANDEF, INC, IYC, MOSIEND, MOSOP, Ogbakor Ikwerre and all other responsible bodies in the Niger Delta in condemning the mischievous attempts at the State House of Assembly to impeach the State Governor on frivolous grounds of ‘gross misconduct’.
“It is quite unacceptable to us and to the entire Niger Delta. Any person, authority or group of persons involved in stoking this fire is strongly advised to desist from it and allow peace to reign,” the statement said.
The statement noted that as a political leader in Rivers, Wike wields the influence to broker peace as both the executive and legislators consist of his political proteges.
“They will listen to you when you talk to them. All eyes are on you. Be the peacemaker that you are and do all you can to timely quench this fire before it becomes devastating.
“The consequences will do no one any good. It will not also speak well of us as Rivers people in particular and Niger Deltans in general.
“Your silence in this matter will not be golden and the world will think you’re playing the ostrich.
“We plead with you to step into a peaceful resolution of this matter so that the Nigerian populace will not say that Pompey was drinking tea when Rome was burning,” the statement said.