Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured that the National Assembly is committed to resolving the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, three months into the six-month state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.
Akpabio gave the assurance in Abuja while representing the President at the commissioning of the Kugbo Taxi and Bus Terminal.
He said the National Assembly would play a key role in restoring political stability and peace in the state, emphasising that sustained efforts are underway to address the root causes of the crisis and foster reconciliation among stakeholders.
‘We are determined to ensure that normalcy returns to Rivers State. The National Assembly will work closely with all parties involved to ensure lasting peace and progress for the people’, Akpabio said.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike also tackled former Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi over the latter’s claim of leading a spartan lifestyle and not given to luxury like his contemporaries.
Wike recalled the glorious days of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and how he had joined a delegation to Anambra State where their host served them Cristal Brut, some form of expensive champagne.
Obi had in 2017 shortly after leaving the Anambra Government House claimed he had only one wristwatch which he had worn for 17 years.
Speaking at The Platform, a programme organised by the Covenant Christian Centre in Lagos, Obi said he also had two pairs of black shoes which he always travels with.
‘I have said it to Nigerians, Peter Obi wears only black shoes, and I have two pairs of them, and I travel with them’, Obi had said, referring to his austere lifestyle.
Wike urged politicians to practice what they preach.
He said: ‘I will tell you something. When PDP had no problem, we went to Anambra state for a gubernatorial campaign and when we finished that campaign, we went to somebody’s house. I just sat down. Come and see the best of drinks, this and that. So, I called him, I said you are providing crystal champagne here but every day, you tell people that you wear only one shoe, you carry your own bag, only you. But look at champagne here. Not just champagne, crystal.
‘Why do we deceive Nigerians? Why can’t we tell ourselves the simple truth? What you preach is not what you practice. And you know, we like to hear such things but that is being deceitful.
‘And these are the kind of things that I tell Nigerians, look, don’t allow people to deceive you. People who are preaching that they care for you, they don’t care for you, they don’t think about you. They only try to use you to climb.
‘We must learn. We must see those who are sincere, who are faithful, who say, we will do this and we will do it. Yes, there could be some challenges. There could be some challenges. And that’s a sense of leadership. Nobody, no leader, can succeed without taking the decision. We have challenges. No leader can succeed without taking the decision that people will say something.
‘People must say something. Because if you don’t take that decision, people will say something. If you take the decision, people will say something. Therefore, say something. And that’s all about what we are doing in our city.
That’s what will move this country forward. And that’s what the president has shown. We continue to support Mr. President.
‘I thank him for giving us the opportunity to be part of this success story. To be part of this success story. You know, you can be a part of an administration that’s not successful. I’m happy. I’m part of an administration that’s successful. I’m very, very happy. Whether you like it, you don’t like it, the truth must be told. If you say, if you know how the President is working, come to Abuja. Take it from there. You know that the president is doing very, very well. So, I’m not here talking because of a party or no party’.
