The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has appealed to the warring factions in the Rivers State government to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign.
Chief Iwuanyanwu, who was answering questions from journalists during his official visit to Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said that the misunderstanding between the former Governor Nyesom Wike group, the House of Assembly Members on the one hand, and Governor Siminalaye Fubara should be resolved amicably in the interest of peace, development, and the people of Rivers State, the entire Eastern region, and Nigeria in general.
He said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is viewing the crisis situation between the governor and the members of the House of Assembly with great concern and is not comfortable with it.
Chief Iwuanyanwu said that both former Governor Wike and his successor are their children and wondered why they could not come to a round table conference and resolve whatever the issue was so that Rivers State would progress and move forward for transformational development.
He was of the view that only FCT Minister Wike and Governor Fubara will be able to resolve the crisis situation, and the earlier they do it, the better.
Chief Iwuanyanwu emphasized that Port Harcourt is more or less the commercial heartbeat of Eastern Nigeria, and any problem that affects it or Rivers State will have a ripple effect on the entire region.
He recalled that soon after the Civil War, when there was a similar problem, the Leaders of Eastern Nigeria met at the Presidential Hotel Port Harcourt and formed a Council of Eastern Nigeria Business Leaders.
At the meeting, Chief Iwuanyanwu was elected President of the Association, which had prominent leaders of Eastern Nigeria from Rivers State such as Alagbo Graham Douglas, Chief Lulu Briggs, Chief Ombo Isokariri, Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu, Chief Emmanuel Agumah, who was recently given one of the Heroic Awards in Enugu last year by Ohanaeze Ndigbo as one of its Founding Fathers, Chief Melford Okilo, Eze Wolluchem, and Professor Leton as members, among others.
Other members of the association included prominent businessmen from Cross River State, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi States.
Chief Iwuanyanwu said that the association collectively played major roles in fighting for the neglect of the Niger Delta and contributed immensely to the increase of the oil derivation fund from three percent to 13 percent.
Chief Iwuanyanwu said that since the principal actors in the crisis are “our sons,” everything possible must be done to bring a lasting solution to the problems, as a crisis situation does no one any good.
Chief Iwuanyanwu said that it is the view of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that everything must be done to ensure smooth and good governance in Rivers State under the present administration.
He said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo intends to invite the two principal actors, FCT Minister Wike and Governor Fubara, to a meeting with a view to getting the matter resolved without any party losing face.
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide insisted that Rivers State should be peaceful so that there will be continuity and rapid development.