By Adesina Soyooye
The Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chijoke Ihunwo, has said that the battle for who governs Rivers State in 2027 will be tough.
Ordinarily, the Governor of the State, Siminalayi Fubara who installed all, but one of the State’s Executive Council Members at the Local Government level ought to have a free ride, but Ihunwo sees a betrayal of Fubara ahead of 2027.
But Ihunwo forsees a tough battle not because or for Fubara, but for two other things – the soul of Rivers State, and flowing from that, its resources. Rivers State is an oil and gas rich State, and along with a couple of other Niger Delta States, the bedrock of Nigeria’s fragile economy.
The Chairman said in the months leading to 2027, the year of Nigeria’s General Elections, Governor Fubara will be betrayed by some of those who stand by him now. But he urged that others stand firm behind the Governor because the fight ahead is for the soul and resources of Rivers State. He asked all residents and those who mean well and wish growth for the State, to rally round the Governor ahead 2027.
Ihunwo spoke when he received in audience
a socio- political group in Obio-Akpor Local Government, Akpor Unity Forum.
The obstacles notwithstanding, the Chairman told the group that with God on the side of the people, Fubara will surmount all challenges and come out victorious.
Said the Chairman:
“I know that some of the people currently supporting His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, will ditch us before the next general elections in 2027, maybe for some personal and selfish reasons. But I urge you all to remain firm and loyal to my leader (Fubara) because his priority is Rivers State and her people.
“I plead with you to take the message of His Excellency to the nooks and crannies of Akpor kingdom.”
As the Chairman of the LGA, Ihunwo promised to carry everybody along in an environment of peace and unity.
His words: “You can take it for granted that we will, as an administration, carry you along in what we do in the Council. It can come in any shape, be it appointment as aides or as members of Committees all geared towards enhancing development in our LGA.”
The leader of Akpor Unity Forum, Chikordi Dike, in his speech congratulated Ihunwo on his election victory, and said it was the people’s mandate.
Dike, a former CTC chairman of Obio/Akpor local government passed a vote of confidence in Ihunwo’s leadership of the LGA.
“You have already done a lot for our persons but like Oliver Twist, we ask for more in terms of appointments. As a group we are happy to work with you and our dear Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and will always standing firm on his ideals.”
Fubara has been having a running battle with his estranged political godfather and immediate past Governor of the State, now Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The sour relationship has plunged the State into a bitter political crisis.
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