After the recent Supreme Court judgment, I spoke from my heart. Just
like then, I feel compelled once more, to say a few words. Having
observed the recent killings, the unrest and the state of insecurity in
the state and with the forthcoming rerun elections in mind, I’d like to
address both my supporters and the supporters of the candidates in other
political parties, especially the youths.
Political parties come and political parties go, politicians who are
on opposing sides in the morning, may end up exchanging words in the
afternoon and enjoying laughter and drinks together at night. When the
dust settles, we will still need you all, alive and well. My greatest
joy from the last election was that none of my supporters lost their
lives. Bad as e bad, there will always be a tomorrow. Therefore there
will always be hope, as long as we are alive. This is not do or die.
Nobody wants to associate with soul killers. Living by the sword only
invites the sword into your life. Think deeply. Shun all forms of
violence. Even verbal, carry go will still return back to us. Power is
transient and it rests with God, so please find peace. I needed to say
this to you. And you need to listen.
I will not lie that the implication of the Supreme Court judgment on
the card reader is a cause for concern. If PDP can disregard card
readers in 2015, why will APC not attempt to do likewise in 2016? Free
and fair elections were never a standard in these parts, but now, I fear
the arrival of a new law. For those who will still participate in the
exercise, I will not tell you how to vote, my preference has always been
for the person, not the party. Just like I will not insist my doctor or
my Pastor must be a Labour Party member. I’ll vote for candidates based
on their competence. Those who shun violence and have an agenda for
their people will always get my attention. As I said in my last
statement, any Labour party candidate who is serious and needs my
support, they will certainly get it. I know a few, so I will support
them. Life is not black and white. There are more than two parties.
Both Amaechi and Wike are my friends. I don’t hate either of them. We
had differences in political opinion and sometimes disagreed on method
and approach, even when there was agreement on direction. On the subject
of Jonathan, I agreed with Wike. On the subject of the 2015 election in
Rivers state and its conduct, I agreed with Amaechi. Both issues are
now in the past and so we have to move on. Wether you like it or not,
Wike is the Governor of Rivers state and so his failures or successes
belong to all of us. I will always continue to volunteer my support to
either of them, in the event they seek it, providing I can do so from
within my party and they are prepared to genuinely listen. I will not
take sides with either PDP or APC. To me, they are both the same. Two
sides of same coin.
Besides, this is not the time for division; it is the time to unite.
Granted there is a rerun election on the way, but it will soon come and
go. By His grace, we will still be here. Let us think beyond just
elections. Now that I am back, I will seek to build consensus where we
can agree, between parties and among the political class. Wike, Dakuku,
myself. The challenging environment that we are faced with, impacts all
of us. We need a multi party approach to our problems and all hands will
need to be on deck to achieve solutions. Wike is Governor for all. Not
just PDP. He needs to avoid responding to every APC comment, avoid the
pettiness of politics and focus on governance. Yes the elections don’t
help, but fortunately they are around the corner. So let them come and
go. We are falling behind. We have no time to quarrel and fight. People
are leaving PH daily and so are the businesses. Insecurity is rife.
Where will the jobs come from and how are we going to empower the youth?
That alone should be the priority for all of us. So please do not die
for APC or PDP. Live for Rivers state and let Rivers state live for you.
Let me close by saying that as much as I have focused these past few
months on getting my businesses back on track and finishing projects
like my movie 76, I have never taken my heart or my eyes away from
Rivers state. I see the senseless killings and I condemn them in their
entirety. I put a lot personally into moving this state forward. I
wanted to make Rivers state a new “Dubai” as Governor, but God had a
different plan for us. It must not be me leading, but this Rivers state
must still move forward. That is non-negotiable. I felt the same way in
2007. I feel the same way today. I pray that we select our words, choose
love over hate and forgive those who have trespassed against us. To all
those I have offended, let me be the first to beg for your forgiveness.
It is time to let bygones be bygones. We all make mistakes. That is why
pencils have erasers. There is plenty of work that is needed to be
done. Let us agree to begin to do it.

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