The Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition (RSEYLC), has said it is backing Governor Siminalayi Fubara on his recent call on religious leaders in the state to stop providing their pulpits as platforms for politicians to abuse others.
Recall that Fubara had, while speaking at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt, admonished religious leaders to let their pulpits be platforms for the promotion of peace, progress and unity in the state.
The governor said: “Let me also appeal to all the religious leaders in this state, please, your pulpit should be a place to talk about peace, progress; talk about the unity of the people of Rivers State. It shouldn’t be an opportunity for people to cast aspersions, abuse people, say all sorts of things. And more worrisome is that it is in the house of God.”
But, addressing journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, RSEYLC chairman, Dr. Legborsi Yamaabana, called on the religious leaders in the state to heed to the governor’s admonitions so as to promote peace and harmony.
Yamaabana, who is also the president of
Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF), took a swipe at those criticizing Fubara for giving such advise to religious leaders in the state.
He said: “I have read with absolute dismay in some quarters of the social media how some self acclaimed social media influencers have tried to ask why the governor was silent in 2023 when his predecessor commanded thunder against his tribe.
“Even then, the current governor as a candidate then I can tell you never liked that scenario but we all know how he was boxed from media appearances or responding to certain things.
“It was all for the good and liberation of Rivers Israelites from the Rivers Egyptians led by the then Rivers Pharaoh, so those criticizing him now are either bereft of understanding or do lack moral values.”
