A member of the House of Representatives for Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon Boniface Emerengwa, has pledged his total support and loyalty to Rivers Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
The House of Representatives member is a staunch supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, who even though was a former supporter of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, refused to join him to the APC when Amaechi dumped the PDP before the 2015 general elections.
He has therefore remained a silent supporter of Nyesom Wike until Monday when he paid solidarity visit to Gov Fubara joining many former Wike supporters now moving over to Fubara in droves.
Hon Emerengwa hails from Ikwerre Local Government Area, the Headquarters of all the four Ikwerre-speaking LGAs, which also include Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Obio/Akpor, and Emohua.
Speaking during the visit he explained that he was throwing his total support and loyalty to Gov. Fubara’s administration because it was undisputable that the Governor is both the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the State.
The former chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area said that Rivers people had made their choice through their votes and gave their mandate to Gov. Fubara.
He said, that having secured electoral victory on March 18, 2023, which had been affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Gov. Fubara had become the Number One Citizen of the state as prescribed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Hon Emerengwa noted that only the blind will not see the giant strides Gov. Fubara was already making in various sectors of the State, adding that the best way to assist the state’s growth as Rivers people was to support the Governor in every way possible to achieve sustainable peace and accelerate inclusive development of the State.
He was accompanied to Government House by three other House of Representatives members, Hon Awaji-Inombek Abiante of Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency; Hon Boma Goodhead of Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency; and Hon Anderson Allison Igbiks of Okrika-Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency, who are all strong supporters of Governor Fubara.
Hon. Emerengwa’s pledge of allegiance is coming in the wake of a flurry of resignations of elected politicians across the local government areas, who have vowed to support Gov. Fubara to succeed.
Notable among them is the Leader of Obio/Akpor Legislative Council and Councillor representing Ward 9, Rt. Hon. Achor Prince Nna, who resigned on March 7.
Obio/Akpor Ward 9 covers Rumuepirikom and Elioparanwo communities, two critical power blocks in Obio/Akpor and the State.
According to Nna, “This resignation is hitherto borne out of my personal conviction to align with the truth in the face of the current political issues in Rivers State… My Chairman, I want to align with the progressive minds to liberate and develop Rivers State in tune with the SIMplified Movement”.
On March 18, Supervisor for Youths and Sports in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council and member representing Obio/Akpor Ward 17, Hon Newman Ogbonda, also resigned to join the Simplified Movement.
Obio/Akpor Ward 17 includes Rumuolumeni, Mgbuosimini, Nkpor, Mgbuodohia, Azumini, Minikpiti and Mgbuakara communities.
In his letter, Ogbonda said, “I officially write to resign my position as the Supervisor for Youths and Sports in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council to clear my good conscience and to align myself with the administration of the Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State and his vision to better the state.”
Ogbonda’s action followed the resignation on March 17 of the President General of Akpor Consultative Assembly, Chief (Barrister) Hanny Woko, a powerful politician from the area, to pitch tent with Governor Fubara’s Government and the SIMplified Movement.
Also on March 20, the Supervisory Councillor for Health and Social Welfare in Asari-Toru Local Government Council, Dr Ipalibo Jenberetoa George resigned his position to join the Simplified Movement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to him, “I have taken this decision in view of my firm belief that throwing full weight behind the Administration of the genial, humane and people-oriented Administration of the Executive Governor, Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, is the absolute best way to go at this point in the development of Rivers State and in the light of the challenges she currently faces.“