Display Political Maturity, Youth Group Urges Rivers LG Chairmen …Describes Mbata, Odili, Omehia As Fathers of Democracy
Edith CHUKU
As their tenure wind down and plot to extend turns futile, youth group in Rivers State, has urged local government council chairmen to show commitment to promoting peace and social justice by vacating their respective offices at the end of their tenure.
They sent a passionate appeal to the LG chairmen, urging them to obey the rule of law and not expose the youths and people of the state to political crisis.
The youth body in a statement made available to TNN on Monday, emphasized that the safety of lives and properties of every nation, state, local government and community lies in the hand of the government.
The group’s Coordinator, Mr. Opurum Loveday and Secretary, Bright Nnadi, who spoke under the aegis of D-Young Elite Advocacy Forum D-YEAF, appealed to government at all levels in the state to ensure that the safety of the people is guaranteed and not to become instrument for the destruction/destabilization of the society
According to them, “D-Young Elite Advocacy Forum (D-YEAF) wishes to call on the Local Government Chairmen not to expose Rivers youths and the people to political crisis by negative utterances, instigating some youths and publicly blowing trumpet of war which are capable of breaching the exiting peace in the State. Attempting to disobeying the rule of law as their tenure expires come June 2024 would be height of dishonor both to their person and the exalted office they occupy.
“Record has it that come June 17th 2024 the tenure of the incumbent Local Government Council Chairmen shall elapse so what justification without official/legal extension of office/tenure by the appropriate channel does the Council Chairmen has to exist as Chairmen after June 17th? This is what we have not yet understood going by some utterances credited to some Chairman especially the Ikwerre LGA Council Chairman.
“As a group of young Elites, we specifically appeal to the Ikwerre Local Government Council Chairman to reconsider his position before 17th June 2024 by following and obeying the rule of law and not to maintain a stand that will expose our youths to political crisis. At this critical point in our political history as a State, all Council Chairmen must show high sense of responsibility, rationality and pragmatism, administrative competence and political maturity which we believe they have. What River’s people needs now is the voice of progress, voice of advancement, voice unity, voice of peace, voice of equity, voice of justice, voice of equal right and sustenance of our democratic heritage as a people.
“The political class and the people must regurgitate over the words of our former President; His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who said during a turbulent political dispensation when he was the President of the federal republic of Nigeria “My ambition/aspiration/interest does not worth the blood of any Nigerian”
“That should be the orientation and mindset of our people however if anyone feels otherwise or too strong and powerful to cause mayhem in the State then the law and justice will prevail.
“The safety of lives and properties of our Nation/State/Local Government Areas/Communities lies in the hand of the government. We therefore appeal to government at all levels to please ensure the safety of her people is guaranteed and not to become instrument for the destruction/destabilization of the society.
“Local Government chairmen must show commitment to promoting peace and social justice by honourably vacating their respective council office at the end of their tenure as stipulated by law, hence there may be no legal backings/justifications for not doing so.”
D-YEAF made a vehement call for “maximum political decorum and tranquility across party lines and LGA’s, as we equally call on the well-meaning youths of our dear State across the 23 LGA’s of Rivers State not to allow themselves to be used by roaring & hungry political lions to stimulate crisis or cause mayhem in their various LGA’s but to solidly and consistently oppose illegality by defending democracy and upholding the concept of legality/rule of law.
“The 23 local government council chairmen must understand and come to the realization that they have a major responsibility or role to play in the sustenance and promotion of the peace which we all have been enjoying in the State since the inception/emergence of their administration three years ago. The same way the previous local government chairmen honorably left the office at the expiration of their tenure, we vehemently and firmly urge the current local government council chairmen to imbibe and exhibit same political culture which is in the best interest of the State.
“It is very pertinent we State at this juncture that no one has the monopoly of violence and or peace hence a peaceful man can be violent tomorrow and a violent man today can become very peaceful tomorrow so it’s an aberration and irrational perception for any council Chairman or group to feel, think and resolve that any Local Government Council can maintain status -quo after 17th of June 2024. Definitely transition, shift or adjustment must take place across the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State in line with the tenets of the constitution and relevant state laws.”
They further thanked those they described as the leaders and fathers of democracy in the state. “We want to thank the leaders and fathers of democracy in our dear State in the likes of Most Distinguished Senator John Azuta Mbata DSSRS, His Excellency Sir Dr. Peter Odili GSSRS, His Excellency Rufus Ada George, His Excellency Sir Celestine Omehia etc and very prominent Elders-statesmen, traditional rulers who have continued to preach peace, defend democracy and stand by the state government amidst all the political conspiracy, backstabbing and gimmicks.
“Having carefully followed, understudied and analyzed the political happenings in the State we are very pleased to remark that the Statements and Counsel of our Political Father and Leader, Most Distinguished Senator John Azuta Mbata has tremendously strengthened democracy and repositioned the minds of misguided and uninformed youths of Rivers State as well as reassured the general public that relevant respected personalities in Rivers State are solidly standing with the Executive Governor of Rivers State.
“It must be understood that the position of Distinguished Senator John Mbata as one of the outstanding Rivers political fathers/leaders from the Ikwerre nationality is a proof and affirmation that the existing political misunderstanding between His Excellency Chief Barr E.N. Wike the Minister of FCT and His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS the Incumbent Governor of Rivers State which is alleged to have been escalated to a tribal/ethnic political battle is both fallacious and misleading.
“We want to cease this medium to clearly state in all honesty that the political brouhahas in Rivers State is not and should not be seen or taken as ethnic battle between the Ijaw’s and the Ikwerre’s but be seen as a mere political issue devoid of ethnic sentiment hence in both the FCT Minister’s and the State Governors camp are both Ijaw’s and Ikwerre’s supporting each Leader.
“No youth should be deceived to believing that this battle is ethnically inspired or motivated. We must very immensely commend the steadfastness of Chief Amb Chijioke Ihunwo the Chairman National Youth Council of Nigeria Rivers State Chapter who doubles as the Pragmatic Leader of the Obio/Akpor Simplified Movement for his consistency and practical commitment in the pursuit of equity and defense of democracy in our dear State.
“Finally, to our exceptional, intelligent, focused, purpose-driven, development oriented and humble governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS the Executive Governor of Rivers State we sincerely congratulate you once more and wish you many more beautiful anniversaries ahead as you meritoriously galvanize the resources of the State for a better, glorious, enviable and prosperous Rivers State.
“We urge you to remain focus and committed to the development of our dear State and people, for many are with you than you can imagine.”
