How can Fulani talk about where to feed animals when human living in the country have not eaten, they are dreaming - Wike

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has insisted that there is no land to cede in the state, for Ruga settlements for Fulani herdsmen.

This, he said during a speech at the 2019 Election Victory Thanksgiving Service in his honour and Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo by all the Anglican Dioceses of Rivers State at Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Governor Wike said: “You are talking about where animals will eat, When human beings have not eaten”.

“They lay pipes from here and take our oil to other areas, They can also lay pipe in Bonny ocean and then take the water, so the cows can be drinking…. At least we have tried to contribute water”

Wike also praised the Christian Community of the state for standing firm to defeat the forces of democratic darkness on March 9, 2019.

The Governor noted that Rivers Christians insisted on Rivers mandate must be respected, despite the ugly plots against Rivers State.

He said: “I want to use this medium to thank the Church for their support. It is important for us to realise that but for the support and prayers of the Church, we wouldn’t have attained victory.

“I heard that some people are angry that I declared Rivers as a Christian State. With what happened on March 9, 2019, it re-emphasised my conviction that Rivers is a Christian State. Nobody can intimidate me into changing my position”.

Governor Wike assured the Church that he will never disappoint the church, noting that he will continue to deliver development to the state.

“I will not disappoint the Church. I will continue to support the Church. When people who think that they are God came, Christians stood firm and showed that Rivers State is a Christian State”, he said.

He stated that all his actions during his second term would be geared towards growing the state. He said some of his policies may be tough, but they will be pro-people in nature.

The Governor reiterated the state’s rejection of RUGA settlements for herdsmen in whatever form it would be introduced by the authorities. He said that the state can only donate ocean water to the system via the laying of water pipelines to serve the cattle in the northern part of the country.

In a sermon, the Anglican Bishop of Okrika Diocese, Rt Rev Tubokosemie Abere said the Thanksgiving Service marks the beginning of a glorious era in Rivers State.

He said: “Today marks the journey of a glorious era of our State. The attitude of Thanksgiving will never end in our state”.

Bishop Abere urged all Rivers politicians to work with the Rivers State Governor to develop the state in line with the hand of reconciliation extended by Governor Wike.

He commended the Rivers State Governor for his outstanding performance in his first term and urged him to step up the tempo in his second term.

The Cleric noted that the Thanksgiving Service is necessary to appreciate God for standing with Rivers people during the elections and stopping the enemies of democracy who wanted to impose a Governor.

The Saint Paul’s Choir and the Government House Port Harcourt Choir sang two songs that prayed God to bless Rivers State, grant her peace and create the right environment for development.

The Thanksgiving Service was officiated by the Anglican Bishop of Okrika Diocese, Rt Rev Tubokosemie Abere, Bishop of Diocese of Ahoada, Rt Rev Clement Ekpeye, Bishop of Ogoni Diocese , Rev Dr Solomon Gberegbara, Bishop of Etche Diocese, Rt. Rev Okechukwu Nwala, Bishop of Ikwerre Diocese, Rt Rev Blessing Enyindah, Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, Bishop of Niger Delta Diocese, Rt Rev Cornelius Ebirien and Bishop of Niger Delta North, Rt Rev Wisdom Ihunwo.

In a remark, Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt Rev Innocent Ordu the entire Anglican Community in Rivers State celebrate Governor Wike and Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo for their contribution to the development of the State.

He said that Governor and his Deputy as confirmed Anglican parishioners have lived up to the expectations of the people.

Prayers were said for Rivers State, Governor Wike, Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo and the country. All Dioceses published goodwill messages for the Rivers State Governor and his administration.

Songs of praise and worship rent the air and lifted the spirit of parishioners who attended the Thanksgiving Service.