Rivers LG chairman seeks continued support for Fubara

The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo, has called on journalists in the state, especially members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to join millions of Rivers citizens and residents in supporting the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

He also declared that no one person can own Rivers State.

The Chairman made this call in Port Harcourt when members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ Rivers State Council paid him a courtesy visit.

Ihunwo was apparently referring to the ongoing rift between the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, which has caused a political crisis in the state for the past year.

“Continue to support His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State,” Amb. Ihunwo urged, adding, “The governor means well for Rivers State. You can attest to the fact that the governor has initiated numerous projects and commissioned them without being on Channels TV, without bringing AIT, and without dancing.”

“The governor is a silent achiever,” he continued. “He is not like others who build small toilets and call Channels TV, only for people to start clapping. Our governor is gradually developing Rivers State, and we are moving forward.”

The Chairman emphasized that no one, no matter how highly placed, can own Rivers State as a personal property or estate. He accused the FCT Minister of attempting to govern Rivers State by proxy from Abuja, which, he said, is impossible.

“You saw what happened in Ikwerre Local Government and Emuoha. You can’t try that in Obio/Akpor Local Government; we will resist it. You can’t try it here,” he said.

“As I said before, no one can burn any building here. If you try, we’ll burn your investment—that’s the simple truth,” he warned.

He further warned that any attempt to burn government property in Obio/Akpor would be resisted, and the individual would pay dearly for it, including losing private investments.

“You can’t come and burn government buildings that you did not contribute to. It’s not your personal money or your father’s money. You want to set it on fire and have people clap? But as a local government, as a state, you all know what we are going through. One man wants to own our state, and many of your colleagues are promoting that person.”

He declared, “Rivers State is too big for one man to own, and that’s why we are here to defend our people.”

Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo assured the people that his administration has liberated Obio/Akpor and will sustain this momentum until the end of Governor Fubara’s eight-year term.

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He urged the Correspondents’ Chapel to continue supporting the current state government, stating, “Anyone who is against Governor Fubara’s administration is also against my leadership as Obio/Akpor Council Chairman.”

“Anyone who is fighting Governor Fubara is fighting Obio/Akpor Local Government,” he emphasized.

The Chairman promised to partner with the Correspondents’ Chapel, provided they engage in objective reporting.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ Rivers State, Mr. Amaechi Okonkwo, congratulated Amb. Ihunwo on his election as Chairman in the October 5 local government elections. He commended the Chairman for his successful management of the local government’s affairs since taking office.

Okonkwo praised Ihunwo for emulating Governor Fubara’s peaceful disposition, determination, and commitment to protecting the local government’s assets from attacks and destruction. He pledged the Correspondents’ Chapel’s support for the activities of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council and urged the Chairman to work for the good and benefit of the council and its people.