…Drags event to Govt House after releasing pigeons
By Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, today shocked participants at this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day when he abruptly and unceremoniously left after releasing the symbolic white pigeons and inspecting the guard of honour.
As the governor walked out of the parade ground after inspecting the guard of honour, many thought he would return to his seat at the V.I.P. canopy but he headed straight to his car, to the amazement of guests and participants.
While many were still wondering whether the event had ended, the master of ceremony announced that the rest of the event would continue at the Rivers State Government House, Nnamdi Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt.
TPCN gathered that what confounded participants most was that Governor Wike left the Isaac Boro Park venue of the event without making a speech.
Although the event is supposed to be going on as this report is being filed now, many participants believe that it has lost its lustre and may have been politicized, especially given the fact that not all participants, including journalists, were allowed to enter Government House to witness the continuation of the ceremony.
TPCN observed that some members of the Nigerian Legion felt disappointed at the way and manner the governor left the venue, despite the fact that some of their leaders followed the entourage to government house.
Also Read: Usman Dan Fodio: Mixed reactions trail Wike’s attack on traditional ruler
However, if the legionnaires on the parade ground felt disappointed with the turn of events, they did not show it, as they continued with their march past despite not being watched by the participants who also started leaving after the governor’s departure.
Reacting to the governor’s action, a civil rights activist who said it was his first time to come and witness the Armed Forces Remembrance Day at Isaac Boro Park said he was surprised that Governor Wike left without making a speech.
He added: “The speech he should have made is not for the legionnaires and their families alone but for everybody that came here today. Even the leader of the Nigerian Legion in the state is supposed to make a speech too. That is the essence of the ceremony because people will like to hear what they have to say. We were itching to hear of better packages, regular allowances, improved living conditions for the legionnaires and widows and children of the fallen heroes. Those are the things people expected to hear today hear in the open field.
“It’s supposed to be an open field event all over the nation today, including Abuja, not an indoor event; so why take it to government house?”
Meanwhile, the chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State chapter, Comrade Mrs Beatrice Itubo, has scored this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day high, adding that it shows that the effort of workers in the state are being remembered.
Beatrice said: “It just reminds me of the effort that the workers are putting in place and if at the end of the day we’re remembered, I think it’s a good one. Our people – heroes – some of them are even putting their lives on the line to secure this country and today is set aside to remember them; it’s a very lofty one. We’re here in our numbers; we’re happy.”
