It’s Time For Wike, Ameachi To Reconcile –Royal Father
5 min read
For High Chief Gift Worlu, the Okwurume 1 of Eneka Kingdom, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, the reconciliation of the two Rivers sons- the governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the former minister for transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is very paramount to the development and peace of the state.
In this interview with EDITH CHUKU and GIFT BARIKWA, he spoke on the need for chiefs, elders and stakeholders to initiate processes that can lead to a genuine reconciliation, even as he urged youths to desist from been used to perpetrate violence in the forthcoming 2023 elections.
Excerpts:
2023 Election: Get Your PVC, Accord Rep Candidate Charge Residents
Let’s begin with the forthcoming 2023 elections in Rivers State and the country at large, what are you mostly concerned about?
The youths. But first, let me emphatically stress that I am not a politician, this is not a political interview, it’s not a campaign. I’m indeed grateful to TNN for this opportunity to express my heart to the youths of Rivers State, to the youths of Nigeria at large.
My message, you can call it an appeal is very simple and direct, to the youths, please don’t allow yourself to be used by anybody to perpetrate violence, snatch ballot papers and boxes, obstruct elections and worst of them all, take innocent people’s lives. Don’t let anyone in the name of pay master use you to commit, carry out any hideous, violent act in this electioneering period.
Please, don’t fall for it, check very well, their children are not in the group, they are not leading such gruesome acts, they are not following neither are they in the number to fight for their fathers. Some are even abroad, they will not even be part of the campaign. I am not against campaigning for your choice candidate, but please use your head and conscience. Election is not a time to carry weapon, no. It is not a time to quarrel, fight over politicians, it is a time to speak your mind by going out to simply cast your vote. The only weapon we have is our PVC, no matter what you are promised, know that you worth more, remember your family, remember that the person that will fall victim if you carry out that act also has family. Like I said, I am not a politician, I am a traditional ruler, a chief in my community, remember that as a youth, the future of this nation lies in your hands, so please be wise.
But considering that there is starvation in the land, people are barely surviving, in fact some have taken to suicide, unemployment is there, things are really difficult, education is expensive, ignorance is worse, how….
(cuts in) all you have mentioned, is it the fault of innocent keke rider, taxi driver, mama put seller, students that might fall victim, lose their lives if the youths continue to allow themselves to be used to perpetrate violence during election? I weep when I see and hear certain things that our youths are doing. Let us vote the right person based on our conviction, don’t allow anyone to use you, and I believe that God we serve will speak to Nigerian youths. I agree that things are hard, but guess the worst part, if you trace those responsible for this hardship, you will find out that they are the same people some youths are killing themselves for, I am not a politician, but our PVC is enough, not guns, machetes, bottles, no, support who you want to support but don’t bring harm on anyone, election no be fight.
You are a traditional leader in Eneka Clan, how would you say your people have benefited from Wike’s administration?
Well, I keep reiterating that I am a chief, a leader not a politician, a traditional leader in Rumuchiorlu community. Yes, I know and must admit that our governor, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has tried for the people of Eneka, we have felt his impact, again, he knows the areas that needs his attention, areas he hasn’t attended to, Eneka has benefitted from this administration and we are hopeful and believing that he will do more before he leaves.
Internal roads are in their worse, gory, dilapidated, almost impassable state, how does this make you feel?
I know that in no time, these issues will be a thing of the past, just like the Rumuowha, Eneka-Rukpokwu road, by the new roundabout, you know what that road was like seven years ago, almost impassable, but today, the story has changed. So, I am also very optimistic that these issues you have mentioned will be taken care of in no distant time. Again, I am not a politician, and the truth is what I must stand for, Wike has worked and I am hopeful that he will do more, he is the talk and do governor. We want more for Eneka development, we want more for Eneka in the area of infrastructure, we want Eneka to be transformed into a city, but again, remember that Rome was not built in a day, he is the governor of the whole of Rivers State, fortunately, he schooled in Eneka and I know that by the special grace of God he will visit Eneka ones again and most of these things you have mentioned will be a thing of the past. Let’s not also forget that everyone has a role to play for the growth, security, development and peace of Eneka, I have mine, you have yours and every native and even those residing here, not just the government has a role to play.
Two Rivers sons-Wike and Amaechi -are still at loggerheads with each other, what is your position on this?
I am not a politician, I am a leader so I want to appeal to Wike and Amaechi, two sons that make the name of Ikwerre, Rivers State to be heard far and wide. Sometimes when I sit on my own, I feel very bad. If I am opportune to talk to the elders of Rivers State and Ikwerre, I will appeal to them that it is high time they intervene and ensure that these two great sons of Ikwerre land reconcile and I tell you that Rivers State will experience radical transformation. It will go higher. The bible says one will chase a thousand and together, Wike and Amaechi will chase ten thousand. If two of them come back together it will get better, and I pray that God will bring this dream to pass.
