Give peace a chance in Rivers, Coalition tells Wike

The Coalition of Minority and Indigenous Ethnic Groups in Nigeria has urged the immediate-past Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to give peace a chance in the state. The group made this known at a press conference on Wednesday. In his address, the coalition’s convener Okwa Dan, said: “The Coalition of Minority and Indigenous Ethnic Groups […]

The Coalition of Minority and Indigenous Ethnic Groups in Nigeria has urged the immediate-past Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to give peace a chance in the state.

The group made this known at a press conference on Wednesday.

In his address, the coalition’s convener Okwa Dan, said: “The Coalition of Minority and Indigenous Ethnic Groups in Nigeria has closely followed the implementation of this accord and is pleased to note that the Rivers State Governor has implemented every single action point that pertains to him in the Rivers Peace Document.

“In the spirit of doing to the right side what has been done to the left side, we urge the Wike side of the schism to embrace the peace accord and do so with a human face. Wike’s side should give peace a chance under the circumstances as an appointee and ally of Mr. President Tinubu, who recognises the importance of facilitating internal peace and security in Rivers State. Wike’s side should shelter their sword.

“We are strongly of the view that the peace agreement must not be seen to be one-sided. Our assertion in this regard arose from the recent development in which the judiciary is being used to undermine the State Governor. This is particularly so in the case of the use of the judiciary by some highly placed individuals to humiliate those who are seen to be loyal to the Governor.

“The recent plot to arraign the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly who is now Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Edison Ehie is therefore unacceptable to the spirit of peace, which both sides are expected to embrace in the wake of signing the peace accord. Our Coalition is therefore calling on the Federal Government and its agencies to in the spirit of the Peace Accord withdraw all the charges against Edison Ehie and all other Fubara’s loyalists.

“Peace cannot be a one-sided affair. Since Governor Fubara has gone out of his way to give juicy appointments to the loyalists of the FCT minister, those who are in the Governor’s camp should not be treated differently.”