Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said nobody can
intimidate him to change his stand that Rivers is a Christian state.
This is as he praised the Christian Community of the state
for standing firm to “defeat the forces of democratic darkness” during the
March 9 governorship elections.
He spoke at the 2019 Election Victory Thanksgiving Service
in his honour and Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, by all the Anglican
Dioceses of Rivers State at Saint Paul's Cathedral, Port Harcourt on Sunday.
The governor noted that Rivers Christians insisted that
Rivers mandate must be respected despite the plots against the state.
His words: "I want to use this medium to thank the
Church for their support. It is important for us to realise that but for the
support and prayers of the Church, we wouldn't have attained victory.
"I heard that some people are angry that I declared Rivers
as a Christian State. With what happened on March 9, 2019, it re-emphasised my
conviction that Rivers is a Christian State.
Nobody can intimidate me into changing my position".
Wike assured the Church that he would never disappoint the
church, noting that he would continue to deliver development to the state.
"I will not disappoint the Church. I will continue to
support the Church. When people who think that they are God came, Christians
stood firm and showed that Rivers State is a Christian State,” he said.
He stated that all his actions during his second term would
be geared towards growing the state. He said some of his policies may be tough,
but they will be pro-people in nature.
The governor reiterated the state’s rejection of RUGA
settlements for herdsmen in whatever form it would be introduced by the
authorities. He said that the state can
only donate ocean water to the system via the laying of water pipelines to
serve the cattle in the northern part of the country.
In a sermon, the Anglican Bishop of Okrika Diocese, Rt Rev
Tubokosemie Abere, said the thanksgiving service marks the beginning of a
glorious era in Rivers State.
He said: "Today marks the journey of a glorious era of
our State. The attitude of thanksgiving will never end in our state".
Abere urged all Rivers politicians to work with the governor
to develop the state in line with the hand of reconciliation extended by Wike.
He commended the governor for his outstanding performance in
his first term and urged him to step up the tempo in his second term.
In his remark, Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt Rev Innocent Ordu,
said the entire Anglican Community in Rivers State celebrate Wike and
Harry-Banigo for their contribution to the development of the State.
He said the governor and his deputy, as confirmed Anglican
parishioners, have lived up to the expectations of the people.
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