Following the conflicting orders from the Federal and State High Courts threatening the conduct of the October 5, 2024 Local Government Area Elections in Rivers State, a group, the South South Youths Initiative, SSYI, have called on political gladiators especially the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike to allow the election to hold.
SSYI in a statement by its National President, Comrade Imeabe Saviour Oscar said Rivers State has suffered alot through negative politicking, urging all gladiators to seek for ways of bringing development to the state and not unnecessary crisis.
“We call for calmness in the forthcoming local government elections and also calling on stakeholders and political gladiators to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign.
“Too many conflicting court judgements and injunctions cannot help Rivers State. For once, this state should be in peace and experience good governance. Rivers State has suffered so much of negative politicking,” he stated.
He particularly called on Nyesom Wike to concentrate on bringing development to Rivers State and allow good governance thrive.
“The FCT minister, Nyesom Wike should allow the elections to hold. He should allow Rivers State to be in peace and work with the current government.
“The FCT minister should allow Rivers people to enjoy the dividends of democracy, he should attract more developments to the state and concentrate on how the state can fair better,” Oscar said.
Oscar noted that during Wike’s tenure as governor for eight years, nobody opposed him or distracted his government and wondered why he has refused to allow Governor Siminalayi Fubara to concentrate on governance in the state.
“It’s on record that during his administration, Rivers people suffered so much untold hardship but nobody rose against him, he was allowed to concentrate for eight years even when the state recorded zero governance”.
He stated that Rivers State is one of the states with highest revenue allocation and one of the states sustaining the country but regretted that there was nothing to show for it because of crisis and negative politicking, appealing, “Let’s allow good governance to thrive and seek for ways to enhance development rather than crisis always”.
The group said those opposing the elections were causing more harm to the state, warning that Rivers people would move against them in 2027.
“Those gladiators that are against the election are not doing the state any good, they shouldn’t allow their selfish politics to affect the generality of the state.
“Rivers people are watching and 2027 shall be a springboard for decision for who would be the leader of the state because from what’s happening, Rivers people are loosing confidence in the leadership of the FCT minister.”
The group believes that if the political gladiators work together, there would be development in the state, saying, “We also believe that if the FCT minister can give attention to development of the state and less attention to politicking, Rivers people would benefit from his leadership.”
