Political crisis has ended in Rivers, says Wike

RIVERS State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says democracy has returned to the state, which according to him, marks the end to the lingering political crisis in the state.

Wike, represented by Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea, Desmond Akawor, who spoke yesterday at the thanksgiving service of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) held at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Rumuola Parish, Port Harcourt, said the state would never again return to dark ages when people were not allowed to express their views.

He attributed the democracy enjoyed in the state to the doggedness of the group, assuring that the era of political crisis would never surface again.

The governor said: “GDI is an instrument that came out at a point when nobody was allowed to air out his views or hold meeting in Rivers State. The leaders of GDI came, exhibited courage and determination. Through this group, today, we now have democracy in Rivers State without anybody challenging you of whichever group you want to belong. We now have a Rivers State born again.

“Now, we have the judiciary back after a year. These men and women worked tirelessly to give us hope. Now, we have the state House of Assembly members sit at their chambers to discuss issues about Rivers State.

“It is difficult to describe where they are coming from, the Dark Age when our traditional rulers were not allowed to air their views in Rivers State. The traditional stool was balkanised just to despise those who decided to give advice.”

Wike, who urged members of the group to work harder and ensure the state did not return to the era of political crisis, further said: “Now, we have taken the leadership of the state, hence the expectation from us, Rivers people, is high while a lot needs to be done. Every GDI member is a vanguard to this crusade. It is our duty to ensure that no loophole is left. The Bible says ‘when the hedge is broken, the serpent will bite.’ They are doing all they can to see they bring you back to the Dark Age.

“So, it is our duty, as GDI members, to work harder and ensure that never again would Rivers State be returned to the Dark Age.”

Culled from www.ngrguardiannews.com