Davies Ikanya, All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Rivers, speaks on the Federal Government’s agenda on return of peace in the Niger Delta, among other issues in this interview with Special Correspondent, JOE EZUMA
Peace in the Niger Delta creeks and entire zone
I want to commend the Federal Government on the paradigm shift in the Niger Delta which has ushered in a new atmosphere of peace in the region, especially in Rivers State. The recent visit by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to the region has brought a new lease of life in the relationship between the people and the Federal government.
That was the first time a serving President or Vice President had to visit our people, to interface with them directly, as to hear their agitation, know their challenges and proffer solutions to them. After all ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the son of Niger Delta region, was the Vice President for two years and President of this country for six years, but was unable to address the problems, until the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari. Jonathan could only visit Otuoke, his home town.
So, I commend Osinbanjo and APC-led Federal government, for fostering a new era of responsive leadership and constructive engagement in the relationship between government and governed.
The dialogue/meeting provided both current and ex-militants the opportunity to express their grievances and chart a new course for peace, progress and development. Both the Federal Government and the people struck a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Such an effort enthroned mutual trust between both parties
The timely implementation of the MoU and promises would sustain the confidence the people have reposed in the leadership of the APC federal government. I am therefore, urging the Buhari administration to fast track implementation of agreements/promises reached at such dialogues.
The Federal Government should as a matter of necessity, implement comprehensively the amnesty programme, by releasing all funds set aside for it, to build infrastructures, education and skill acquisition initiative. This is necessary for us as a nation to sustain the peace already built and not relapse in the day of creeks and insurgency.
Rivers State amnesty by Governor Wike
The so-called Rivers State amnesty is farcical. All the people paraded on the television as well as the brandished weapons, were fake and rented, even as the weapons were obsolete, old and disused.
At least, two of the so called repented cultists were in their wanted list, but the governor went ahead and freed them, thereby violating the orders of the court.
Governor Wike has no respect for rule of law. He exudes impunity, as if Rivers is no more a state in Nigeria. Wike is behaving as if there is no Federal Government. Look at the House of Assembly. The legislature has effectively become the lap dog while the legislators have become the errand boys of the executive. State expenditures are not vetted while loans are approved without due process.
Defection of APC members to Rivers PDP
There is no truth in the PDP claim. The recent claimed decampment to the party was a hoax. I hosted the 318 out of 319 ex -councillors in the state, only one was absent. The only defector is the Asari-Toru Local Government vice chairman.
As I said earlier, the reported defection to the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, by 8000 members, was a hoax. The coordinator of that propaganda stunt, Emeh Glory Emeh, is a professional propagandist and fortune hunter who I know too well. The PDP said there was no APC in Rivers state, and just last week, 8000 members of our party defected to it. Where did they come from?
Cracks, leadership tussle in APC
There is neither crack nor leadership tussle in the party. Rivers State APC is one happy family. Chibuike Amaechi is the leader while I am the chairman of the party. The factionalization story is a creation of detractors. It is equally not true that Amaechi anointed a governorship candidate for 2019.