Wike’s political relevance weakens as 12 Rivers politicians collapse structure for Fubara

No fewer than 12 top politicians who are members of the Local Government Coordinators of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) have declared their support for Governor Sim Fubara.

The GDI is a political pressure group that played a major role in mobilizing massive support for FCT minister Nyesom Wike while contesting the governorship elections in Rivers State in 2015.

This comes barely few days after Achor Nna, the councillor representing the ward of FCT, Nyesom Wike, resigned his position to support Governor Fubara.

The coordinators represent Ogu/Bolo, Port Harcourt City, Opobo/Nkoro, Gokana, Bonny, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Oyigbo, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Wike’s local government area, Obio/Akpor.

The former coordinator in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Collins Onunwo, who led the delegation to the Government House in Port Harcourt, said they decided to resign their leadership positions in GDI to protect, defend, and promote the interest of Rivers people.

Onunwo, who was a former caretaker chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, said the group has no option but to support Fubara, having freely given their votes and mandate to him, a decision that has been affirmed by the Supreme Court.

He pledged the determination and dedication of the former GDI coordinators to the success of the policies and programmes of the present administration.

“We want the public, Rivers people, and all Nigerians to know that GDI is the group founded by the former governor and now Federal Capital Territory Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike. That group brought him to power in 2015 and supported his ambition in 2019. That group is his strength,” he said.

“But today, we and our supporters have decided we are no longer members of GDI. The reason is simple: we want to be with Rivers people. Rivers’ interest is paramount. In 2012, GDI’s interest was to protect, defend, and promote our brother-in-law, President Goodluck Jonathan, because of our mother and sister, Dame Patience Jonathan; and it yielded good dividends to the state.

“Through that struggle, our brother, Chief Nyesom Wike, became governor in 2015; and in 2019, when Abuja politicians said he will not return for a second tenure, we all rallied around him and defended our votes, and he served for eight years.

“Today, Rivers’ interest is to protect our votes that brought in Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Executive Governor of Rivers State in the most credible, fair, and violence-free election.

“We have come to join millions of Rivers women, youths, elders, and other well-meaning people who insist that we must protect our votes to sustain democracy. Our concern is that we voted for PDP and Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and we must protect that mandate with all we have,” he added.

Also Read: Wike’s councillor resigns, cites intimidation, declares support for Gov Fubara

He further cautioned those fighting against the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie, to retrace their steps, or prepare to face the wrath of Rivers youths, women, and elders.

At the meeting were the State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Chijioke Ihunwo; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Power, Solomon Abel-Eke; among others.