Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has advised persons agitating for secession to rather demand restructuring of the country to attain desired unity.
The governor insisted that those with divisive tendencies should join persons clamouring for a restructuring of the country to usher a united Nigeria.
“We need the unity of this country. What everybody is talking about is the restructuring of this country. If we are practising federalism, let it be federalism. We can’t be talking about federalism, but we are practising unitary system of government,” he said.
The governor spoke when the Primate of the All Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Chukwuka Ndukuba led a delegation of the Church to visit him at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The governor said that the people of Rivers State had lived peacefully with Nigerians from other parts of the country regretting that criminals under the aegis of the outlawed, Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), misconstrued the peaceful disposition of the state to carry out treasonous activities like hoisting their flags in Rivers community.
He said that Rivers was peaceful during the #EndSARS protest, until IPOB members unleashed unprovoked attacks that killed six soldiers, four policemen, and destroyed all police stations and court buildings in Oyigbo.
He reiterated that the allegation that he ordered soldiers to attack Igbo people living in Oyigbo, was untrue and politically motivated.
Wike said if he had not imposed curfew based on security advice, there would have been bloody confrontation between Hausa and Igbo communities.
He implored the Church to continue to pray for Nigeria because the country “was apparently sitting on a keg of gun powder.”
He said: “This is the time for the church not to be docile, this is the time for the church to speak out. When society is bad, it affects the church. When governance is bad, it affects the church. No matter how we look at it.
“Nobody can run away from it, things are not working well in the country. The way the country is supposed to be is not where we are. Even when you are in the pulpit, it is an opportunity to speak to your members that things are not well.”
The governor, who said as a Christian, he had no apology for handing over the state to God, announced a donation of N500million on behalf of the Rivers State government to support the Anglican Church education development and mission fund.
The governor urged Ndukuba to advise the church to obey the COVID-19 protocols adding that based on the security report at his disposal the churches were lagging behind.
In his remarks, Ndukuba, said in a time of uncertainty in the country, the church was very proud of the steps and stance Wike had taken on critical issues.
“We come not only to encourage you as the Lord encouraged Joshua, we believe as the Lord was with Joshua, but He will also be with you; He will strengthen you, and under your leadership, this state will know greatest, development and peace. The Lord God Almighty who called you and gave you this opportunity, will not leave you nor forsake you. Only be strong and courageous. We are proud of you.
“We are very proud of the steps you have taken, the stands you have taken and the way you have demonstrated your love for God and for the people because governance is a scared trust. And indeed we have seen you demonstrate that very well.”
