The Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo, has pledged support and loyalty for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Eze Wodo is the paramount ruler of the traditional stool and clan of the former Governor and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Obio/Akpor.
Others, who declared their loyalty in the ongoing realignment of political interest following the crisis rocking the State include the leader of Ahoada East Legislative Assembly, ThankGod Bernard Unwhe and seven councilors.
Fubara’s media aide, Nelson Chukwudi, said the Eze Oha Apara made the commitment when he paid a solidarity visit to Fubara at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday.
He also pledged the support and loyalty of the entire Apara people in Obio/Akpor to the governor and the Government of Rivers State.
The monarch promised that his people will work assiduously to ensure the success of the Administration of Governor Fubara.
He said that the governor’s commitment to place priority on enduring peace of the State over and above personal interest was the elixir needed to propel the state to greater heights in transformative and sustainable development.
Eze Wodo insisted that the State needs peace to accelerate inclusive development in all sectors of the economy.
He stressed that only those who do not wish the State well would promote discord to distract the government from delivering on its mandate to the people.
While welcoming the monarch to Government House, Fubara assured him of the deliberate policy of his administration to respect traditional institutions and elders and carry all Rivers men and women along in the implementation of its policies and programmes.
He said that the doors of Government House are open to those who love peace and development of the State.
Also the leader and councilors declared their total support and loyalty to the governor.
The governor’s media aide said by their action, the councilors representing eight electoral wards in the 13-ward LGA finally joined to declare commitment to mobilise their supporters to key into the governor’s policies and programmes.
All eight councilors were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and were also top leaders of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) before they took the decision to join and rally behind the SIMplified Movement in the interest of the State.
The eight councilors made their position known during a crucial meeting presided over by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Edison Ehie, at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The councilors, who spoke separately during the meeting, said their action was voluntary and necessary to ensure that the people in their various communities were not left behind in the wind of change blowing across the 23 LGAs of the State.
On the issue of who should be the leader of the party in the state, they said: “As provided by the Constitution of our party, the governor of the state at any given point in time is the leader of the party. Not only the PDP.
“Even other parties have the same rule. Therefore, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, as Governor of the State, remains the leader of PDP and number one citizen of the State.”
They said the people could only enjoy the benefits of liberation in the SIMplified Family because everybody had equal opportunities to participate freely in socio-economic and political activities without harassment and intimidation.
Responding, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Edison Ehie, who hails from the same local government area, encouraged the eight new members of the SIMplified Movement to remain steadfast and resolute in their support for the governor.
He assured them of the governor’s determination to carry everybody along, saying that Rivers people had nothing to worry about as his Administration would not renege on any of his campaign promises.
Besides Unwhe, the other seven councilors are Ogenma Idalunimulu for Ward 6; Beatrice Abraham representing Ward 1; Bright Uwandu representing Ward 2; Princewill Aguiyi for Ward 4; H Livingstone Alali for Ward 9; Bob Ololube for Ward 12 and Edi Chituru representing Ward 13.