A group of concerned Delta stakeholders, under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Niger Delta for Development (CCND), has cautioned against the alleged move by some Rivers state stakeholders to clamp down on the teeming supporters of Governor Simi Fubara.
The group, in a statement issued by their coordinator, Wemimo Simple, and Secretary, Okudili Chinwo, called on the supposed supporters of the governor not to allow themselves to be bogged down by some challenged individuals who they accused of working tirelessly to derail the peace initiative that the people of Rivers state has enjoyed so far
The concerned citizens of Niger Delta issued the statement in reaction to the state government’s earlier statement disclaiming a pro-Fubara peace advocacy.The rivers state statement, signed by the Commissioner for Information, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, warned all Fubara support groups to forthwith desist from parading themselves, insisting that the state government doesn’t recognize any group.
The statement read: ‘The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a publication by an amorphous group that styles itself as the NATIONAL MOVEMENT OF SIMPLIFIED PEACE NETWORK (NMOSPN), wherein the group, without the requisite approval, inserted the photograph of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State on its logo, with a caption; ‘Victory Retreat With A New Age.’
“This is to inform the general public, especially the good people of Rivers State, that neither Governor Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS nor the Rivers State Government has anything to do with the group.”You are, therefore, advised to be wary of the utterances and publications of individuals and groups that do not in any way represent the ideals, ethos, and purpose that Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State Government stand for.
“Let us also use this medium to advise those behind the publication, including other intending groups and individuals, to desist forthwith from using the name and image of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, and the Rivers State Government in their activities.”
Reacting to the statement, the Niger Delta group cautioned the Commissioner of information not to work to derail the positive steps of the governor to introduce the needed peace that is currently galvanizing the development stride in the state, warning that the Commissioner should join the governor to seek peace in the state rather than his current steps.
The statement further noted that it was the initiatives of the governor that have earned him such support across the Niger Delta and the entire country, even as it noted that Governor Fubara’s simplicity has continued to endear him to more supporters across the country and abroad.
The group, which also alleged conspiracy against the Commissioner, called on the state governor to caution him in his actions, especially his alleged push to wane down the current organic wave of support he is getting across the country.”It was after President Bola Tinubu’s fatherly intervention in the said crisis that Governor Fubara has proved that he is really a listener to advice.
He has continued to embrace and initiate peaceful moves that are gradually returning Rivers state to its glorious days.
“These moves have no doubt earned the governor several supporters both within the Niger Delta and beyond, hence the numerous groups that have emerged to appreciate him. It is, therefore, obvious that some individuals would be against these peaceful support groups, as we have seen in the recent statement from the Commissioner for Information.
“These support groups are self-funded and have not in any way gone against any stakeholder or group in Rivers state. So our question is, what is the interest of the Commissioner and his likes in clamping them down? Does it mean they don’t like the current fragile peace in the state that had given a smooth route to development?
“Rather than clamping the Fubara supporters down, we urge stakeholders to join hands with them so that the state will grow faster and compete favorably with other Niger Delta states,” the group warned.
