Jonathan’s Re-Election 2015: Nyesom Wike Visits Ex Warlord, Sobomabo Jackrich (Egberipapa)

...Commends His Doggedness And Commitment

By Tamunoemi Wari

In furtherance of wide consultations geared towards giving additional thrust to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's re-election bid for a second term, the honourable Supervisory Minister of Education, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike made a crucial visit to ex warlord, founder/leader of the Kengema Unity Forum, KUF, Amb. General Sobomabo Jackrich (a.k.a Egberipapa) at his palatial Usokun residence in, Degema Local government Area of Rivers state.

During the visit the supervising minister commended the KUF leader for his doggedness and commitment in promoting the course of the Goodluck Jonathan administration and the party in general, and assured him that the party under his leadership will ensure fairness, equity and justice to all for the progress of the party, as he is committed to supporting politicians who have worked hard for the party; adding that the era where ''monkey de work bamboo de chop'' is gone forever.

Wike urged members of the Peoples' Democratic Party (P D P) in Rivers State to unite and work as a family to enable the Party win the 2015 general elections in the state. He appealed to members to close ranks and work with unity of purpose and commitment to ensuring that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is re-elected in the 2015 Presidential election to justify his numerous achievements in transforming the country. Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Wike, who is also the leader of the party in the state stressed that a house divided against itself cannot stand, and said his priority is to ensure the re-election of the president in 2015 and not who succeeds Gov Rotimi Amaechi, who he described as an insensitive, irresponsible and drowning politician.

The minister further stated that as the leader of the party, and a loyal party man, he will always abide by the rules and wishes of the party, saying that when the time comes, all stakeholders will sit down together as a family to choose who will represent the party in the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state.

In his remarks the leader and founder of Kengema Unity Forum, Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich thanked the minister of education for the visit. Amb. Soboma Jackrich extolled Wike for his loyalty to Mr. President and efforts in repositioning the party in the state. Egberipapa as his fondly called disclosed that KUF will continue to sensitize and mobilize the people to ensuring that Mr. President is re-elected in 2015. Jackrich who is also the Director General of Network for the Defence of Democracy and Good Governance, (NDDGG) further stated that the activities of Grassroots Democratic Initiative (GDI) in the area has tended to create division amongst party members; a situation he described as inimical to the continuous progress of the party. Jackrich however stated that in spite of the obvious challenges and distractions, Kengema Unity Forum will not relent until the purpose for which it was founded are realised.

He assured Hon. Nyesom Wike of the support and cooperation of KUF to ensuring that the party triumph in all elections in the state come 2015, stressing that Nigerian has never had it so good under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan since independence in 1960.

Responding to the issues raised by the leadership of KUF, the minister noted that he was unaware of the situation and promised to do everything as the leader of the party to ensure fairness, equity and justice prevails in the party. He used the opportunity to state that he will not support a non politician to emerge as the party candidate as politicians, according to him have suffered a lot and must be given preference in the scheme of things. He again reiterated his earlier call for members to unite and work like a family, as matters affecting the party will be resolved amicably for the good of all. The Minister and Jackrich later privately entered for a close-door meeting inside the house.

It will be recalled that Kengema Unity Forum in its quest to pursue the cause of the people single handedly took on the state government on the issue of who should be appointed the substantive Chief Judge of the state between Justice Agumagu of the customary court and Justice Daisy Okocha of the High court. After a long drawn legal battle against the Attorney General and Government of Rivers state KUF was granted its prayers on the 12th of February 2014 when Justice Lambo Akanbi of the federal High Court one issued his judgment on its favour, declaring the appointment of Justice Agumagu as Chief Judge of Rivers state unconstitutional and mandating it to swear-in Justice Daisy Okocha as the most senior judge of the state high court.

Though following that judgment the Governor has refused to adhere to that judgment, prompting KUF's plan to resort to the writ of mandamus. Others who spoke for KUF includes, Director of Operations of KUF, Barr. Onari Awo Tariah and legal adviser, Barr. Tubotamuno Dick, while those in the minister's entourage includes Chief Azubuike Nmerukini, Hon. Emeka Woke, Chief Precious Elekima, Hon. Boma Iyaye amongst others.




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