INC President Urges Turnah To Maintain Support, Collaboration With FCT Minister, Wike
From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
The President of the Ijaw National Council (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba has charged George Turnah to continue associate and support the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, saying it is politically suicidal for the Ijaws to put all its eggs in a single basket.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the Bayelsa acting Chairman Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Kelvin Loveday-Egbo said Okaba commended George Turnah for offering unreserved apology, describing the move as a demonstration of strong leadership rather than weakness.
Turnah who had visited Okaba at his Yenagoa residence to pay homage and tendered his personal apologies and regrets over some of his public comments regarding the person and office of the INC President, added that they were clearly misunderstood and misconstrued by many persons.
He commended Okaba for demonstrating dedicated leadership of the INC and called for greater support.
He emphasized that ethnicity has no place in politics and urged the leaders of Ijaw race to devise means to settle political differences amicably without necessarily involving the reverred INC institution, describing the INC as the revered socio-political organization that speaks and represents the interest of Ijaw people.
The State acting PDP Chairman called on Professor Okaba and the leadership of the INC initiate robust peace moves leading to the restoration of the suspended Rivers Governor, Sim Fubara back to office within the shortest possible time, stating that only a sincere apology and genuine reconciliation can yield positive results in the Rivers State political crisis.
On his part, the INC President appreciated Turnah for the visit and advised him to pay similar visit to the Bayelsa State Governor, snd Governor General of Ojaw Nation, Senator Douye Diri for reconciliation which according to him is for the greater good and unity of Ijaw nation.
He cautioned against divisive behaviors amongst Ijaw political class, noting that the current calm in Ijaw nation regarding the situation in Rivers State was intentional and delibrate and allow for peace and enable Sim Fubara to pursue genuine reconciliation with his benefactor and political father, Minister Nyesom Wike.
