By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Former militant leader, Chief Ebikabowei Victor-Ben, also known as ‘General Boyloaf,’ has called on the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to shun sycophants and pursue reconciliation with former governor and minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
According to Boyloaf, despite the perceived support being shown to Gov. Fubura by some supporters within and outside Rivers State, the Rivers governor should pursue the part of peace and reconciliation with his predecessor for the sake of peace and for the development of the state.
Boyloaf, who also expressed concern over delayed settlement of Rivers Crisis, said “those fanning the ember of crisis are doing so because of personal enrichment, warning those fanning the ember of crisis that they will be nowhere near Gov. Fubara if something was to happen to his mandate as governor of Rivers State. It is too early for this to be happening in Rivers State. One way or another, they should find peace.
“By Now, Gov. Fubura should be ensuring that peace reigns in Rivers State. God forbid something happen to his mandate; the same sycophants will be the first to abuse him. He should engage other peace-loving leaders to intervene and ensure reconciliation is achieved as soon as possible.”
Boyloaf, who was one of the major leaders and co-founder of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and instrumental in the successful establishment of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), pointed out that the Rivers and Niger Delta people “know that former Gov. Wike is very important to the region.
“Wike stood strong in the battle to ensure the southern Presidency of Tinubu, when other Niger Delta elders and leaders were fighting for another Fulani man to succeed a Fulani man as President. Not that Wike does not like the Fulani man, but he fought for true federalism, justice, equity, and peace,” he said.
He also urged Gov. Fubura to take a cue from the relationship between former governor Seriake Dickson and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, adding that “the peaceful and harmonious relationship between Dickson and Diri was due to patience, understanding and loyalty. Look at Gov. Douye Diri and Sen. Dickson. When Dickson helped Douye Diri to become governor with the assistance of the Almighty, despite all temptations, Gov. Diri refused to be drawn into battle with his predecessor.
“It shows Gov. Diri was grateful and loyal, which led Sen. Dickson to work openly and vigorously for the second term bid of Gov. Diri. It showed that they worked for the peace of Bayelsa State and they refused to allow sycophants to divide them.”
Boyloaf cautioned those self-acclaimed pro-Fubura supporters threatening to make Rivers ungovernable if Gov. Siminalayi Fubara is removed from office, warning that they are only out for their personal enrichment. “Gov. Fubura must not be deceived. If the fight continues and he is removed, there would not be any network to his phone, because those agitating and making empty threats will abandon him and go to the next person.
“Late former Governor Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha (DSP) was removed from office and the Heavens did not fall, but everybody moved on to support former Governor Goodluck Jonathan as governor, before he eventually became President.”
On the repeated attempts by some few politicians to turn the Rivers State crisis into an ethnic battle, Boyloaf described their attempts as shameful, stating that “Wike has proven himself to be more of an Ijaw man by actions, than many Ijaw elders and leaders, given his disposition to the empowerment and development of Ijaw sons and daughters.
“Wike fought vigorously for the retention of an Ijaw son as managing director of the NDDC. When it was time to nominate the EDFA of the NDDC, Wike nominated an Ijaw man. Wike again fought for an Ijaw man, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, to become the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil). He ensured a smooth succession of the executive secretary of the NCDMB. When Wike was fighting these battles for the Ijaw people, a former minister, who is an Ijaw man, was busy fighting against the interest of the Ijaw people.”
He called on the people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta region to support the minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike for the infrastructural development and economic growth he achieved for the Rivers people, these are unforgettable legacies. “Former Governor Wike had the choice to nominate his successor from Ogoni land and other parts of Rivers State, but he insisted on Gov. Fubura, an Ijaw man and worked vigorously to get him elected as governor, this alone is commendable.”
Boyloaf also commended the Minister of FCT for showing capacity in the ongoing developmental change in every parts of the FCT, adding that “He is replicating capacity building in every part of the FCT and has saved over N100 billion for the FCT in a few months, including the discoveries of monumental fraud and corruption in the system. Presently, abandoned roads and bridges are springing up in every part of the FCT.
“Within a few months of assuming office, Minister Wike has achieved verifiable projects in the FCT. In the history of the FCT., only a few former FCT ministers (if any) have recorded the level of projects development and successes that Minister Wike has achieved within six (6) months in office.”
Boyloaf called on the governor and people of Rivers State to show support and ensure that peace is returned to governance in Rivers and urged Gov. Fubura to do the needful by seeking peaceful resolution of the lingering crisis with his boss, Minister Wike.
