…Beg Gov. Wike To Fulfill His Promises
…Recount How They Suffered For Him
Peoples Democratic Party Ward Chairmen in the twenty-three Local Government Areas of Rivers State have cried out over their continued neglect by the state government in terms of Care Taker Committee appointments.
In a recent chat with journalists in Port Harcourt, a former councilor representing Ward 9 in Asari Toru LGA and chairman of PDP in the same ward, Hon. Owanate Clinton-West, lamented that since September 13, 2017, when Governor Wike and chairman of Rivers PDP, Bro Felix Obuah held a meeting with the 319 PDP ward chairmen in the 23 LGAs in Government House Port Harcourt, during which the governor made some promises to the ward chairmen, nothing has happened.
He said the Governor, during the meeting, promised that two PDP ward chairmen will be included in subsequent CTCs in all the 23 LGAs while also receiving stipends monthly.
Hon. Owanate however regretted that none of those promises have been fulfilled, adding that the ward chairmen are not only being sidelined but have been schemed out of the process.
Owanate, who is a pioneer member of PDP in ASALGA and is referred to as the chairman of chairmen, recalled how, from 2012, some of them were persecuted by the administration of former Governor, Rotimi Amaechi for supporting then minister of state for education, Chief Barr Nyesom Wike, especially for joining the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI).
He added that some of them who were working in the Rivers State House of Assembly then were relieved of their appointments.
He said that despite being called such names as Judas, saboteurs, traitors, etc, they still stood firm and worked hard to make sure that Wike won the battle.
Wondering why they should be so neglected after making such sacrifice to ensure Gov. Wike’s victory, Hon. Owanate said that over 85% of the ward chairmen are graduates and professionals in various fields and are therefore qualified to hold both appointive and elective positions.
He also regretted that some of the ward chairmen have health challenges and had written to the Governor for help, yet no response, wondering if the letter did not get to him despite being sent through a courier company, Red Star Express.
He appealed to Governor Wike to remember the ward chairmen and carry them along, adding:
“We have worked tirelessly for the success of the PDP project from the beginning till now and are still working round the clock to ensure that the party continues to march ahead.”
