Former coordinators from the Grassroots Development Initiative, a political group associated with the Peoples Democratic Party in 12 local government areas of Rivers State, have declared their support for the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
These coordinators come from Obio/Akpor, Ogu/Bolo, Port Harcourt City, Opobo/Nkoro, Gokana, Bonny, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Oyigbo, Asari-Toru, and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas.
Collins Onunwo, the former Coordinator in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, led a group of former GDI members on a visit to Governor Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
They mentioned that their choice to step down from their roles in GDI and join the Simplified Movement was made with the well-being of the people of Rivers State in mind.
Onunwo, a former chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, stated to reporters that the main goal of GDI was to safeguard, uphold, and advance the interests of Rivers State and its residents.
He mentioned that since they had already voted for and supported Fubara, as confirmed by the Supreme Court, GDI had no choice but to back the governor for success.
Onunwo assured that the former GDI coordinators were committed to supporting the current administration’s policies and programs with determination and dedication.
He stated, “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.
“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.”
Continuing, he said, “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 the PDP and Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and we must protect that mandate with all we have.”
He warned those opposing Dr. Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff at Government House, to reconsider their actions or be ready to face the anger of the youth, women, and elders of Rivers.
Former Public Relations Officer of GDI, Christian Abu, also spoke, stating that the ex-GDI coordinators resigned to simplify things. He clarified that GDI has been crucial for the success of previous elections in the state.
Present at the meeting were Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo, the State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, and Solomon Abel Eke, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Power, among others.
Fubara was chosen by Wike to succeed him as Governor of Rivers State under the Peoples Democratic Party.
Despite their previous friendship, both politicians fell out after Fubara’s election. Fubara has stated that his administration is focused on serving the people and protecting the state’s interests, not on fighting anyone.
The governor emphasized that his administration will continue to act in the best interest of the state, promoting transparency and encouraging public participation in governance.
