By Bayo Davids
Renowned ex-militant leader, Chief Ebikabowei Victor-Ben popularly known as General Boyloaf has advised Governor of River State, Siminalayi Fubara to shun sycophants in pursuit of peace with his estranged political godfather and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
Boyloaf noted that regardless of the solidarity being shown to Gov. Fubara within and outside the oil-rich State, peace with Wike would be a step in the right direction.
Lamenting the lingering crisis in the State, Boyloaf stated that “those fanning the ember of crisis are doing so because of personal enrichment,” warning that those who want the crisis to fester would be the first to dump the Governor if anything untoward happens to his mandate.
“It is too early for this to be happening in Rivers State. One way or another, they should find peace.
“By now, Gov. Fubura should be ensuring that peace reigns in Rivers State. God forbid something happen to his mandate; the same sycophants will be the first to abuse him. He should engage other peace-loving leaders to intervene and ensure reconciliation is achieved as soon as possible.”
Boyloaf who was one of the major leaders and co-founder of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and instrumental in the successful establishment of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) also stressed that the Rivers and Niger Delta people know that Former Gov. Wike is an asset to the region.
“Wike stood strong in the battle to ensure the southern Presidency of Bola Tinubu, when other Niger Delta Elders and Leaders were fighting for another Fulani man to succeed a Fulani man as President. Not that Wike does not like the Fulani man, but he fought for true federalism, justice, equity, and peace,” he added.
He also called on Fubara to learn from the relationship between Former Governor Seriake Dickson and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa state, stating that “the peaceful and harmonious relationship between Dickson and Diri was due to patience, understanding and loyalty. Look at Gov. Douye Diri and Sen. Dickson. When Dickson helped Douye Diri to become Governor with the assistance of the Almighty, despite all temptations, Gov. Diri refused to be drawn into battle with his predecessor.
“It shows Gov. Diri was grateful and loyal, which led Sen. Dickson to work openly and vigorously for the second term bid of Gov. Diri. It showed that they worked for the peace of Bayelsa State and they refused to allow sycophants to divide them.”
He therefore warned pro Fubara supporters to stay away from Rivers, saying,“Gov. Fubura must not be deceived. If the fight continues and he is removed, there would not be any network to his phone, because those agitating and making empty threats will abandon him and go to the next person.
“Late former Governor Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha (DSP) was removed from office and the heavens did not fall, but everybody moved on to support former Governor Goodluck Jonathan as Governor, before he eventually became President.”
On the repeated attempts by some few politicians to turn the Rivers State crisis into an ethnic battle, Boyloaf described their moves as shameful, noting that “Wike has proven himself to be more of an Ijaw man by actions, than many Ijaw elders and Leaders, given his disposition to the empowerment and development of Ijaw sons and daughters.
“Wike fought vigorously for the retention of an Ijaw son as Managing Director of the NDDC. When it was time to nominate the EDFA of the NDDC, Wike nominated an Ijaw man. Wike again fought for an Ijaw man, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, to become the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil). He ensured a smooth succession of the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB. When Wike was fighting these battles for the Ijaw people, a Former Minister, who is an Ijaw man, was busy fighting against the interest of the Ijaw people.”
He called on the people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta in general to support Wike in his quest to make the FCT reclaim her lost glory.
“Former Governor Wike had the choice to nominate his successor from Ogoni land and other parts of Rivers State, but he insisted on Gov. Fubura, an Ijaw man and worked vigorously to get him elected as Governor. This alone is commendable.
“He (Wike) is replicating capacity building in every part of the FCT and has saved over 100 billion for the FCT in a few months, including the discoveries of monumental fraud and corruption in the system. Presently, abandoned roads and bridges are springing up in every part of the FCT.
“Within a few months of assuming office, Minister Wike has achieved verifiable projects in the FCT. In the history of the FCT, only a few former FCT Ministers (if any) have recorded the level of project development and successes that he has achieved within six months in office,” he added.