The Peace Between Amaechi &Asari
The journey on the 29th of June 2009 to the Bricks House Port Harcourt by Alhaji Asari Dokubo led by Prince Tonye Princewill, the Leader and Chairman of BOT of Forum of Organised Opposition Political Parties (FOOPP) in Rivers State, has not only kept many people agape but has proved the critics of the Eso-led reconciliatory panel wrong.
As a renowned Emancipator and fighter of the injustice being meted out to the people of Niger Delta by the occupational force of the FG, Alhaji Asari Dokubo felt that he was included among the Governor Chibuike Amaechi's list of criminals. Asari further reiterated that he has no much problem with Governor Chibuike Amaechi, the Executive Governor of Rivers State apart from how he was imposed on the people of Rivers State by the Supreme Court on Oct. 25th 2007 and his variance to the Governor's approach on certain issues particularly on his statement that all militants and freedom fighters were all criminals and the lopsidedness of projects by his administration to only the upland to detriment of the Riverine areas.
As we all knew, Asari has been very vocal and had always condemned the Governor Chibuike Amaechi-led administration as an imposed government on the people of Rivers State, but this visit made available by Princewill seems to will end the many years of Asari's antagonism on the issue of governance in Rivers State owing to the fact that he is today soft-pedaling in many stance.
We hope that this visit will be the quest for a vibrant, virile, peaceful and egalitarian many Rivers people and in deed Nigerians have been looking for. Brokering peace is not easy especially between the likes of Amaechi and Asari: two stubborn men. Asari, the Leader of Niger Delta Peoples Vigilant Force (NDPVF), should continue not to compromise evil, even that we all sought for peace in Rivers State. Though Princewill has achieved a feat very rare people could by bringing these two great sons of Rivers State under one roof. This calls for celebration.
No matter where these two former foes met, is not important. What is important is that they met and accepted one another no matter their differences. Whether Prince Tonye Princewill took Asari to visit the Governor at his private house in Port Harcourt or at his village house in Ubima, the important thing is that they were received warmly by the Governor and after normal pleasantries the threesome retired into the inner room.
We knew that no how such a visit could be made without various issues bordering on their past and the need to move the State forward as one united family would not be discussed.
Hear Asari: “After much persuasion by his cousin, Prince Tonye Princewill and as a law abiding citizen and a believer of law and justice, I decide to follow him to visit you the Governor today to demonstrate that apart from the issues highlighted above, I have no other grudge against you and to formally accept you as my Governor and the undisputable Governor of Rivers State as upheld by the Supreme Court.”
On the Governor's side, Amaechi explained his happiness and commended Prince Tonye Princewill for this feat. “My becoming the Governor of Rivers State apart from being divine was a calculated attempt to restore hope and actualization of the vision of the founders of our dear State in 1967. Today is one of my happiest days because no matter our differences, I admire Asari so much for his love for our region and his readiness to lay his life on behalf of our people and I feel so bad that so such a personality could not team up with me to contribute to develop our only State but thanks to God who on his infinite wisdom decided to use Tonye to make this great reunion possible. For a start, I will ensure that some of the projects Asari has advised to be implemented in the Riverine Area are included in the 2010 budget as it was not deliberate to under-develop any section or part of the State by this administration. We will update Asari on some of the remarkable feats of this administration; I hope to take on projects inspection of some of the projects so far executed by this administration to demonstrate that we are very serious to develop this State for the future and greatness of our children.”
I pray that Asari will be kind, but with the activist's kindness in his association with the government.
Dr. Brian Wilfred writes from Port Harcourt.