Another House of Representatives member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency, Rt Hon Boniface Emerengwa, has abandoned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and joined Gov. Siminialaye Fubara.
Other Reps members who had left Wike’s camp, following the feud between the governor and the minister include; Hon Awaji-Inombek Abiante of Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency; Hon Boma Goodhead of Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency; and Hon Anderson Allison Igbiks of Okrika-Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency.
The reps member explained that he was throwing his total support and loyalty to the Fubara-led administration because it was undisputable that the Governor is both the leader of the Poeples Democratic Party (PDP) and the State.
Hon. Emerengwa who was elected House of Representatives member in 2015, said he had come to the realisation that it was unnecessary and futile to continue to struggle and fight over who controls the party and leads the State when the party and the nation’s constitutions were clear on the issue.
A very strong politician in Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality, Hon Emerengwa, pledged to mobilise thousands of his supporters in his constituency and lead them to join the Governor in his efforts of take the State to heights of sustained peace and development.
The former chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, said that Rivers people had made their choice through their votes and gave their mandate to Governor Fubara.
He said, having secured electorial victory on March 18, 2023, which had been affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Governor Fubara had become the Number One Citizen of the State as prescribed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He noted that only the blind will not see the giant strides Governor Fubara was already making in various sectors of the State, adding that the best way to assist the State grow as Rivers people was to support the Governor in every way possible to achieve sustainable peace and accelerate inclusive development of the State.
Receiving the ranking member of the House of Representatives at Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday evening, Gov. Fubara accepted the pledge of loyalty from Emerengwa.
Hon Emerengwa was accompanied to Government House by other House of Representatives members, Hon Awaji-Inombek Abiante of Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency; Hon Boma Goodhead of Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency; and Hon Anderson Allison Igbiks of Okrika-Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency, who are strong supporters of Governor Fubara.
This new pledge of allegiance is coming in the wake of a flurry of resignations of elected politicians across the local government areas, who have vowed to support Governor Fubara to succeed.
Notable among them is the Leader of Obio/Akpor Legislative Council and Councillor representing Ward 9, Rt. Hon. Achor Prince Nna, who resigned on March 7.
Obio/Akpor Ward 9 covers Rumuepirikom and Elioparanwo communities, two critical power blocks in Obio/Akpor and the State.
According to Nna, “This resignation is hitherto borne out of my personal conviction to align with the truth in the face of the current political issues in Rivers State… My Chairman, I want to align with the progressive minds to liberate and develop Rivers State in tune with the SIMplified Movement”.
On March 18, Supervisor for Youths and Sports in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council and member representing Obio/Akpor Ward 17, Hon Newman Ogbonda, also resigned to join the Simplified Movement.
Obio/Akpor Ward 17 includes Rumuolumeni, Mgbuosimini, Nkpor, Mgbuodohia, Azumini, Minikpiti and Mgbuakara communities.
In his letter, Ogbonda said, “I officially write to resign my position as the Supervisor for Youths and Sports in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council to clear my good conscience and to align myself with the Administration of the Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, GSSRS, the Executive Governor of Rivers State and his vision to better the State.”
Ogbonda’s action followed the resignation on March 17 of the President General of Akpor Consultative Assembly, Chief (Barrister) Hanny Woko, a powerful politician from the area, to pitch tent with Governor Fubara’s Government and the SIMplified Movement.
Also on March 20, the Supervisory Councillor for Health and Social Welfare in Asari-Toru Local Government Council, Dr Ipalibo Jenberetoa George resigned his position to join the Simplified Movement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to him, “I have taken this decision in view of my firm belief that throwing full weight behind the Administration of the genial, humane and prople-oriented Administration of the Executive Governor, Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, is the absolute best way to go at this point in the development of Rivers State and in the light of the challenges she currebtly faces.”
It would be recalled that Hon Emerengwa is an accomplished lawyer and politician, who was a former Ikwerre Local Government Chairman between January 1, 1999 and January 1, 2002, and former Rivers State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007.
He had served as Ward Councilor between January 1, 1987 and January 1, 1990; and Council Secretary between January 1, 1990 and January 1, 1999.
He hails from Ikwerre Local Government Area, the Headquarters of all the four Ikwerre-speaking LGAs, which also includes Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Emohua and Obio/Akpor, the FCT Minister’s LGA.
