2023: Tinubu’s Choice Was Lifeline for Rivers – Rivers Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba

2023: Tinubu’s Choice Was Lifeline for Rivers
– Rivers Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba

By Trek Africa Newspaper

 

 

The Chairman of the Rivers Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, has declared that the decision of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, “kept Rivers State afloat.”

Alabraba spoke on Tuesday in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, during Wike’s thank-you visit to the area.

The elder statesman described Wike as a towering figure in Nigeria’s contemporary politics, praising his pragmatic approach, courage, and political foresight.

According to him, Wike took two far-reaching decisions in 2023 that reshaped Rivers State’s political trajectory, one of which was ensuring that the governorship was ceded to the Ijaw ethnic nationality after 24 years.

 

“When you were concluding your tenure, your thoughts were for Rivers State. You took two critical decisions. First, you sacrificed everything, fought many battles, and enthroned a successor from the Ijaw ethnic nationality, a crown that eluded the Ijaw people for 24 years,” Alabraba said.

He described the perceived lack of appreciation from Governor Siminalayi Fubara as an “aberration,” insisting that the Ijaw people were not known for ingratitude.

“What we are seeing in Rivers State today is an aberration. The Ijaw, as rightly said by others, are not ungrateful people,” he added.

Alabraba said the second major decision taken by Wike was aligning Rivers State with the presidential ambition of Bola Tinubu in 2023, despite retaining other elective positions within his party. “That singular decision is what has kept Rivers State afloat today,” he stressed.

He assured Wike of the continued support of Rivers people, saying they already knew their political direction ahead of the 2027 elections. “Let me assure you, Rivers people know where to go. With Wike, 2027 under the Renewed Hope agenda is the way to go,” he said.

The elder statesman described Wike as an “icon” in Nigeria’s contemporary politics, noting his pragmatic style of politics and astute leadership which inspires both the old and the young.

He pointed out that Rivers State is a multi ethnic state, adding that the minister ensured ethnic harmony during his tenure as governor of the state.

“Let me assure you, Rivers people know where to go and the Renewed Hope Agenda is the way to go in 2027,” he said.

The Majority Leader of the Rivers House of Assembly, Mr Major Jack, commended Wike for all the developmental projects executed in the area during his tenure as governor of the state.

“We followed you to support Tinubu and today we are enjoying the fruits of that decision and we will do the same in 2027,” he said.

Also, the member representing the LGA in the State Assembly, Mr Lolo Opuende, told Wike that nobody would tell the people what to do in the area except him.

“In 2027, we will stand by you and support your renewed hope family, to return Tinubu for a second term,” he said.

Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Council, Rivers, Aboiya-a Bob-Fubara, commended Wike for his humility, statesmanship and commitment to inclusive governance.

Bob-Fubara said that the visit would strengthen leadership and governance at the grassroots.

He assured the minister of continued support and loyalty, adding that working with him would bring the needed prosperity in the local government and the state.

In his remarks, Wike explained that the thank you visit was to appreciate the support of the people since 2014 when he declared decision to contest for the governorship seat in the state.

He also thanked the people of the area for keying into the rainbow coalition” to mobilise support for Tinubu reelection, irrespective of party affiliation.

“This is the only state where the two major political parties are working together to return Tinubu in 2027.

“This rainbow coalition is not in any state other than Rivers and that is why we are no longer talking about party politics but renewed hope,” he said.