Rivers Crisis: Former commissioner kicks against victimization of Governor Sim’s supporters… calls for adherence to eight-point presidential proclamation
By Faith Kordoo
As reactions continue to trail to political turmoil in Rivers State, a former Commissioner of Urban Development and Physical Planning in the state, Dr Reason Onya, has urged that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s eight point presidential proclamation of none victimization of his supporters, should be adhered to.
Dr Onya stated this in an interview with our Correspondent, while reacting to the federal High Court of Abuja’s order of arrest for Governor Fubara’s Chief of staff, Edison Ehie, over his alleged involvement in the torching of the Rivers State House Assembly, last October.
The former Commissioner who is also a political economist, noted that he is not against the law, but held that the right thing should be done by keeping faith with the only presidential request made by Governor Sim of not victimizing his supporters as the other party involved has withdrawn it’s case.
“If he has done anything wrong legally, I would not go against the court, but the point I am making is they should do all they need to do to make sure they keep faith with Governor Fubara’s only request during the presidential eight (8) point declaration by President Tinubu.
“I am not against the law or court definitely not. All cases have been withdrawn from the other party because they kept faith on their own part, so the other party should keep faith by not victimizing Edison Ehie.
“I said this because one of my admirers who is a straight talker Tony Okocha, the present APC Acting Chairman Rivers State, stated in Sun news online that Governor Fubara supporters should not be victimized.
“If this is the case which I know he a political actor in the state, they should not take Edison Ehie to any other place again. It is also part of the agreement of the presidential eight (8) point agenda”, he stressed.
Speaking on Governor Sim’s disposition, Dr Onya, opined that he believes the governor is staying true to the eight point agenda and expecting that his only request of none victimization of his supporters should also be kept to the letter.
He further noted that Edison Ehie, whose mother hails from Ahoada West local government area of the state, will always be defended under Ubio customs and tradition.
“Edison Ehie’s mother is from my community, Ubio in Ahoada West local government area of the state and under Ekpeye customs and traditions the community that the mother of a child comes from takes first responsibility of the child she gives birth to.
“I am premising my interview on the basis of an Ubio person. I have to defend Edison Ehie in accordance to the tradition of my custom, Dr. Onya maintained.