Ohanaeze Urges Calm In Rivers For National Interest

The president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has appealed to the warring factions in the Rivers State government to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign.

Chief Iwuanyanwu made this comment while addressing newsmen in Owerri, stressing that the misunderstanding between the former Governor Nyesom Wike group, the House of Assembly members on one hand and Governor Siminalayi Fubara should be resolved amicably in the interest of peace, development and the people of Rivers State, the entire Eastern region and Nigeria in general.

He stressed that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is viewing the crisis situation between the governor and the members of the House of Assembly with great concern and is not comfortable with the impasse.

Chief Iwuanyanwu highlighted that both former Governor Wike and his successor are their children/sons and wondered why they could not come to a roundtable and resolve whatever is the issue so that Rivers State will progress and move forward for transformational development.

He was of the view that only the FCT Minister Wike and Governor Fubara would be able to resolve the crisis situation and the earlier they did it, the better.

Chief Iwuanyanwu emphasised that Port Harcourt is more or less a commercial heartbeat of Eastern Nigeria and any problem that affects it or Rivers State would have ripple effects in the entire region.
He recalled that soon after the civil war when there was a similar problem, the leaders of Eastern Nigeria met in Port Harcourt and formed a council of Eastern Nigeria Business Leaders.

According to him, he was elected president of the association which had prominent leaders of Eastern Nigeria from Rivers State such as Alagbo Graham Douglas, Chief Lulu Briggs, Chief Ombo Isokariri, Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu, Chief Emmanuel Agumah who was given a Heroic Award in Enugu last year by Ohanaeze Ndigbo as one of its founding fathers, Chief Melford Okilo, Eze Wolluchem and Professor Leton as members, among others.

Chief Iwuanyanwu said that the association collectively played major roles in fighting for the neglect of the Niger Delta as well as contributed immensely to the increase of the revenue allotted to the region.

He added that since the principal actors in the crisis are “our sons”, everything possible must be done to bring a lasting solution to the problems as crisis situation pays no one any good.