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… Ijaws can’t Save Eggs in one Basket ~ Okaba
By Amos Odeh, Yenagoa
President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba has advised the South-South zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, who is also Caretaker Committee chairman of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the party, Barr. Alabh George Turnah, to sustain his relationship and support for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike.
He gave the advice Tuesday during an ‘Apology’ visit by the latter to him at his residence in Yenagoa.
Okaba praised the PDP stalwart for his resolve to tender an apology, describing it as a demonstration of strong leadership and not weakness.
“Maintain your support and collaboration with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON. Ijaw nation can not afford to put its eggs in one basket politically”, the INC President said.
Our source gathered that the PDP chieftain had visited Okaba to pay homage and extend his apologies and regrets over some of his public comments regarding the person and office of the INC President.
Turnah who is also the Lead convener of the state chapter of the Pro-Wike group, the NEW Associates said he was misunderstood and misconstrued by many.
The party chieftain commended Okaba for his leadership of the INC and called for greater support, noting that ethnicity has no place in politics as urged the Ijaw leader to find means to address political issues without involving the INC as an institution.
He said: “The INC, sir is a revered socio-cultural organization that represents the Ijaw interest and speaks for the Ijaw people.
“I like to call on you my leader and the entire INC leadership to initiate robust peace moves in order to facilitate the restoration of suspended Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara back to office in no distance time.
“It’s only sincere apology and genuine reconciliation can yield positive results in the current Rivers political crisis”.
Meanwhile, the INC President has advised Turnah to pay similar visit to the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri for reconciliation.
Okaba described the State Chief Executive as Governor-General of Ijaw nation, reiterating such visit was essential for the greater good and unity of Ijaw nation.
He cautioned against divisive behaviours amongst the Ijaw political class, and noted that the current calm in Ijaw nation regarding the situation in Rivers State was intentional and deliberate to allow for peace and enable Governor Sim Fubara to pursue genuine reconciliation with his benefactor and political father, Minister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
Highpoint of the visit was Turnah’s tendering of apologies on bended knees, reiterating that his remarks on Okaba were misunderstood.
