Ijaw Group Decries Destruction of State Assembly

A group under the aegis of Ijaw Strategic Think-thank has condemned the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Speaking to journalists after a press conference in Okrika, the group Convener, Amapipi Kalio, told journalists that after reviewing the actions of the state government, the group, which was formerly backing the state governor in the recent crises, expressed shock at the actions of the governor and have vowed to withdraw their support from him.

According to the group, “The value of that building today is almost N10 billion and this is what the state government wasted just to protect its selfish interest.

“ It shows that indeed the governor is reckless, selfish and can do anything. Does he realise that the building belongs to rivers people and has served four governors who all faced opposition, but non of them destroyed such Rivers State critical infrastructure? What this means is that the governor can decide to destroy a major state road or fly over just because he fears that his enemies might come through that road to deny him power. A man that can do this, is dangerously destructive and can destroy anything to protect his selfish interest.”

It added: “We wholeheartedly condemn the action of the governor and hereby withdraw the support of the Ijaw strategic think-tank from him.
“Governor Sim Fubara should listen to the words of a prominent Ijaw Pastor , David Ibiyeomie, who recently said “when you are not grateful you become a great fool”.

“As Ijaw people, we won’t deny that former Governor Wike single handedly took Sim Fubara from the civil service, made him a director, bought him the gubernatorial form, wielded his influence so that all the political heavyweights in the party stepped away from the party primaries, gave him the ticket and took him round the entire local government in the state , mobilizing his structure to defeat all opponents and made him governor. He should tell the Ijaw people what he promised and agreed with the former governor before he went against all odds to make him the governor.”

The state governor and the minister of FCT has been at loggerheads with each party leading a faction of the state Assembly.