Don't mix ethnic colouration with Rivers crisis - Former Senator urges Fubara

A former Senator representing Bayelsa East in the 9th National Assembly, Degi Eremienyo has counselled the Rivers state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara not to allow those with double standards to pitch the Ijaws against Ikwerres in the festering Rivers State political crisis.

Degi also counselled Fubara to take urgent steps to sincerely reconcile with his estranged godfather and Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, rather than listening to those fanning the embers of ethnic discord.

Noting that the Ijaws have nothing against the Ikwerres, Degi said Fubara must not give room to people trying to ethnicize the issue.

The former lawmaker, who was reacting to political developments in Rivers state, was emphatic that giving ethnic colouration to the Rivers State crisis is baseless, noting that the Ijaws and Ikwerres in Rivers State are peaceful neighbours and Governor Fubara should not allow people with double standards to mislead him continuously.

“Head or tail Wike is the answer. Though I am from Bayelsa state but whatever concerns the people of Rivers state also concerns Bayelsa, and at this material time, I cannot keep sealed lips even as a Port Harcourt boy. Leaders of the Ijaw nation must say the truth, Governor Sim Fubara should make sincere and lasting peace with Minister Wike. Being a two-time Governor of a sensitive state like Rivers means a lot. I have confidence that my brother Gov. Sim can do it”, Degi stressed.

Speaking on the few months of Wike’s performance as FCT minister, Senator Degi said he is proud of the landmark projects Wike has embarked on, literally converting the FCT to a construction site.

He also commended “the aggressive approach in addressing the security challenges in the Federal Capital Territory”, appealing to residents of the Territory to give the minister maximum support to achieve the agenda he has mapped out to reposition the Centre of Unity to a world class capital city.