Rivers state governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has
charged the 23 council chairmen, and youths in the state to fish
members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples Organisation of Biafra
(IPOB) in the State.
Governor has also warned that any council chairman that allows
IPOB to hold processions and hoist its flag within their
jurisdiction in Rivers State, risk sack.
He made this assertion during a meeting with all the 23 Local
Government chairmen, Community Development Committees, and youths
leaders at the Government House, in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The governor described Rivers state as the most accommodating
state for all Nigerians. To buttress this, he stated that there has
never been any historical incident of different ethnic groups
clashing in the State as has been witnessed in other parts of the
country.
“We can never be against any ethnic group. We can never do that
.we have lived in harmony with the Ibos, the Hausas, and with Edo
people. Everybody that comes to this state we have lived in harmony
with. And so Nigerians must commend Rivers State as a place where
you have never had a problem between this group and that group,” he
said.
Governor Wike, however, maintained that while the people of
Rivers State believe in the unity of the country, they will not
allow criminals under the aegis of a terrorist group called IPOB to
continue to threaten the stability of the state.
“There is one terrorist group they call IPOB. I did not declare
them a terrorist group, the court declared them a terrorist group.
Not me.
“The federal government declared them a terrorist group. IPOB
cannot use Rivers state to be a place where they will be launching
attacks.
“If you allow that, your future, your children’s future is
gone,” he said.
Infuriated by IPOB’s effrontery to hoist its flag in Oyigbo, the
governor directed the council chairman to ensure there will not be
another occurrence of this treasonous act.
“Go to Oyigbo and see what they have done. Destroyed the court.
What did the court do? See the soldiers they killed and burnt them.
See the policemen they killed and burnt them and then you said
people will sit and fold their arms,” he added.
The governor, while calling for vigilance on the part of Rivers
people, however, warned sternly that IPOB members should not delude
themselves because Rivers state cannot be colonised or annexed by
any group, particularly, while he is still the incumbent governor
of the State.
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He asserted that Rivers state can never be annexed to any state,
to any zone. According to him, Rivers state is Niger Delta and will
remain in Niger Delta.
He explained that while every Nigerian is allowed to reside in
Rivers State, those who wish to do so must live in peace with the
people of the State.
“Ibos are living and doing their business here and they will
continue to live and do their business here. We support that,” Wike
said.
“But that terrorist group call IPOB, cannot determine what
happens in our state. To tell us where they own. It will never
happen and we must not allow it to happen”.
Governor Wike charged all chairmen of councils, youth leaders,
CDCs to go into their various communities and identify all those
IPOB members.
He emphasized that nobody of Ibo extraction legitimately
residing and doing business in the state must be harassed.
“But there are criminal elements that we must not allow, and the
criminal elements are those who said they are IPOB members. The
federal government has proscribed them, I have proscribed them,”
the governor noted.
He called on the people to defend the territory of Rivers State
and ensure no part of the State is annexed by a criminal
organisation or terrorist organization.
“We cannot allow it. All our vigilante groups must be
encouraged. Everybody must be on alert. Work with the security
agencies to make sure nothing call IPOB exists in this state. No
procession. Not even a meeting anywhere. Identify where they hold a
meeting,” he said
Rivers State Commissioner of Youth Development, Hon. Ohia Prince
Obi lauded the governor for interfacing with the youths as this
will give them a sense of belonging in the affairs of the
State.
The chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria in Rivers State,
Chijoke Ihunwo, appeal to Governor Wike for clemency for wanted,
Stanley Mgbere, who led IPOB members to attack the palace of the
king of Onne, was rejected.
Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2020/10/27/wike-urges-council-chairmen-youths-to-fish-out-ipob-members/