The Coordinators of the Grassroots Development Initiative, a political branch of the Peoples Democratic Party established by former governor Nyesom Wike in Rivers State, have declared their intention to leave the initiative.
In their courtesy visit to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Wike’s successor and estranged political godson, on Monday, the GDI coordinators in twelve local government areas disclosed the development.
Collins Onunwo, the coordinator for the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, served as the head of the GDI coordinators.
Onunwo claims that the GDI was a big factor in Wike’s election as governor, but in the best interests of the state as a whole, the organizers have now chosen to abandon the platform and work with Fubara.
There’s a subtle sense of hostility between Fubara and Wike right now.
An attempt to impeach Fubara by 27 Wike-supporting members of the Rivers State House of Assembly last year exposed the breakdown of their relationship.
After just a few months in office, Wike accused Fubara of demolishing his political system.
Local government areas of Obio/Akpor, Ogu/Bolo, Port Harcourt City, Opobo/Nkoro, Gokana, Bonny, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Oyigbo, Asari-Toru, and Akuku-Toru were among those whose coordinators abandoned the GDI.
After meeting with Fubara, Onunwo, the former Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, spoke to reporters and stated that the main goal of the GDI was to safeguard, uphold, and advance the interests of Rivers State and its citizens.
He stated, “We want the public, Rivers people and all Nigerians to know that GDI is the group founded by the former governor and now Federal Capital Territory Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike. That group brought him to power in 2015 and supported his ambition in 2019. That group is his strength.
“But today, we and our supporters have decided we are no longer members of GDI. The reason is simple: we want to be with Rivers people. Rivers’ interest is paramount.
“In 2012, GDI interest was to protect, defend and promote our brother-in-law, President Goodluck Jonathan, because of our mother and sister, Dame Patience Jonathan; and it yielded good dividends to the state.
“Through that struggle, our brother, Chief Nyesom Wike, became governor in 2015; and in 2019, when Abuja politicians said he would not return for a second term, we all rallied round him and defended our votes, and he served for eight years.
“Today, Rivers interest is to protect our votes that brought in Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Executive Governor of Rivers State, in the most credible, fair and violence-free election.
“We have come to join millions of Rivers women, youths, elders, and other well-meaning people who insist that we must protect our votes to sustain democracy.
“Our concern is that we voted for the PDP and Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and we must protect that mandate with all we have.”
Onunwo issued a warning to those opposing Government House Chief of Staff Dr. Edison Ehie to either turn around or get ready to face the wrath of the younger, female, and elderly citizens of Rivers.
Speaking at the same event, Christian Abu, a former GDI public relations officer, identified the organization as the means and framework for the political victories seen in the state’s prior elections.
It was time to move on, he added, to team up with Fubara.
Among those present at the meeting were Prince Solomon Eke, Special Adviser to the Governor on Power, and Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo, State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria.
