There seems to be mixed reactions from stakeholders in Rivers State over the recent comments on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike over the tenure of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the aspiration of the people of Ogoni ethnic nationality to produce the next governor of the state in 2027.
In his reaction, a rights activist, Charles Jaja, dismissed claims by Wike that Port Harcourt Ring Road was his initiative, describing the claim as false, arguing that the project was originally conceived by former Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
He, however, commended Governor Fubara for continuing with the project.
Also speaking, a lecturer in the University of Port Harcourt, Dr. Obinna Nwikom, said he wouldn’t have completed any major project while the state was deep into a political crisis.
“Ordinarily, you don’t expect the governor to complete that project due to the crisis situation. Generally, there is no meaningful development that will come in an atmosphere of bitterness and rancour,” he said.
Meanwhile, National Chairman, South Development Movement (SDM), Reuben Favour, disagreed with the position of Nwikom, saying that the completion of the Port Harcourt Ring Road may have been one of the conditions given to Governor Fubara to seek for a second term.
Reuben however stated that the governor did not do enough to deserve a second term in office.
“Maybe, there was part of their agreement and the governor was refusing to let us know that finishing the ring road, he cannot go for a second tenure.
“To me, I have not seen anything performed by the governor that will warrant him to go for a second tenure outside the ring road matter. I have not seen anything the governor has done rather than going back and forth,” he said.
Reuben however agreed with Wike’s claim that some people gave Governor Fubara poor advise which initially contributed to the political crisis in the state.
Also speaking, global president of Ogoni Youth Movement Initiative (OYMI), Saviour Imeade, condemned comments credited to Wike concerning the emergence of Ogoni governorship candidate on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Imeade, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, described the minister’s remarks as a disrespect to the political aspiration of Ogoni people.
He argued that eight years as governor of the state, Wike did not support a governorship aspirations of Ogoni people despite the ethnic group’s contributions to the state.
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