Reaction trails Gov. Wike’s “Why the Riverine cannot get a University”

Recently, Governor Nyesom Wike gave reason Rivers Ijaw cannot get a University. The governor while speaking to the people of Ekpeye Ethnic nationality who paid him a solidarity visit at Government House last Wednesday, said he will instruct the Chairman of the Governing Council and the Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University to cite a campus of the University in Ekpeye land and when other people come (apparently referring to the Riverine people) they should establish University for themselves.

Governor Wike said “Those things that you did not get before, you will get it now. If we don’t do it, who would do it for us. Now that God has given us this opportunity, we have to do it for ourselves. When other people come, they should do it for themselves. Let me assure you that I will call the Chairman, Governing Council of Rivers State University and the Vice Chancellor, they must have to work out a way where we can have a campus of Rivers State University in Ekpeye land.”

“This statement by Governor Wike reveals why he cited a new Port Harcourt Polytechnic (Elechi Amadi Polytechnic) in his Obio Akpor LGA, despite the fact that the Rivers State University and the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education are all cited in Port Harcourt” some political pundits noted.

Observers say that it is unfortunate that such words of extreme discrimination and hate should be spoken by a sitting governor, considering that the College of Science and Technology was established in Port Harcourt by an Ijaw man, Governor Diete-Spiff and upgraded to Rivers State University of Science and technology by another Ijaw man, Governor Melford Okilo.

Prince Tonye Princewill an APC Chieftain in Rivers State in his reaction said Wike forgets that the College of Education (now Ajuru University of Education) was established near his community by a former Governor of Ijaw extraction, Diette-Spiff; even the College of Arts and Science was established and upgraded by Spiff and Okilo, all of them former governors of Ijaw extraction.

He said: “It is disheartening that Rivers Ijaw, a people that embraced western education, and produced graduates in several fields of human endeavour ahead of some major tribes in Nigeria do not have a single state-owned higher institution and now Gov. Wike is saying that they must wait until they have their son or daughter as governor.”

“Wike is probably already seeing his end and is predicting his hand over. What he doesn’t realize is a Governor of Rivers state is a Governor for all and should govern with that as his guide” Princewill advised.

U people think wike is human

I pity ijaw people who will not support their own against wike.


Now that ameachi wants to help them

Should i say something that will offend some people. Kalabaris are nice people i understand you people calls yourself Ijaw for convenience and political purpose. Before the creation of new Rivers state and Bayelsa other tribe in Rivers only refer the people from current Bayelsa as Ijaws and they never saw the Kalabari people as Ijaw rather as Kalabaris. In modern day Rivers that Ijaw attachment might rob you people of the governorship position come 2019 rather say the Kalabaris or Riverine. I am in support of power must rotate to other ethnic nationalities in Rivers state be it Ogoni, Ibani, Ekpeye, Kalabaris, Etche because the Ikwerres where i come from have dominated the governor seat and other positions like chief Judges, Speaker, Ministers. We've had these Ikwerre sons as governors (1) Celestine Omehia ( 2) Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (3) Wike.

KenOne:
Should i say something that will offend some people. Kalabaris are nice people i understand you people calls yourself Ijaw for convenience and political purpose. Before the creation of new Rivers state and Bayelsa other tribe in Rivers only refer the people from current Bayelsa as Ijaws and they never saw the Kalabari people as Ijaw rather as Kalabaris. In modern day Rivers that Ijaw attachment might rob you people of the governorship position come 2019 rather say the Kalabaris or Riverine. I am in support of power must rotate to other ethnic nationalities in Rivers state be it Ogoni, Ibani, Ekpeye, Kalabaris, Etche because the Ikwerres where i come from have dominated the governor seat and other positions like chief Judges, Speaker, Ministers. We've had these Ikwerre sons as governors (1) Celestine Omehia ( 2) Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (3) Wike.

You people of Rivers state are confused. Always having identity crises. Some of you Ikwerre will choose to be Igbo while others will choose not to be Igbo for political convenience sake. Same thing you are accusing Kalabari of doing. Why cant you people just take one stand and remain there?

Tomorrow if Nigeria's politics begins to favour the Igbos more than it does now some of you who said they are not Igbos will start claiming to be Igbos. Tufiakwa.

I like Kalabari people too and will wish them to take a stand of their identity and remain their. Swinging from one identity to the other in the name of political convenience is a foolish act.

For now i like the development that Wike is bringing to PH. He should be allowed to complete 8 years then the Riverine can produce in 2023. If they still vote for another Ikwerre man in 2023 then their name will be SORRY.

[s]

KenOne:
Should i say something that will offend some people. Kalabaris are nice people i understand you people calls yourself Ijaw for convenience and political purpose. Before the creation of new Rivers state and Bayelsa other tribe in Rivers only refer the people from current Bayelsa as Ijaws and they never saw the Kalabari people as Ijaw rather as Kalabaris. In modern day Rivers that Ijaw attachment might rob you people of the governorship position come 2019 rather say the Kalabaris or Riverine. I am in support of power must rotate to other ethnic nationalities in Rivers state be it Ogoni, Ibani, Ekpeye, Kalabaris, Etche because the Ikwerres where i come from have dominated the governor seat and other positions like chief Judges, Speaker, Ministers. We've had these Ikwerre sons as governors (1) Celestine Omehia ( 2) Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (3) Wike.

[/s]
You are very ignorant Sir!

One thing I dislike about some of you is your lame attempt to balkanise Ijaw nation due to the obvious reality that Ijaws are not just the undisputed 4th largest in Nigeria but the largest in Rivers state.

Our magnanimity, show of brotherly love and understanding should not be taken for a ride.

Now, I am an Okrikan from Okrika Local Government, a pure breed riverine with both parents Okrika. We are 500% Ijaws and same applies to Kalabari. Every Kalabari man understand his Ijawness (like other Ijaws) irrespective of the uniqueness of Ijaws to identify closely with our clans as well.

I am a PDP person and supporter of Governor Wike despite being Ikwerri because Ijaws aren't used to segregation and tribalism in politics. We are not like "some of you".

Good news is that the more your kind try the more you will fail!!

Ijaw nation is one, whether Rivers, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Bayelsa or Akwa Ibom...

honourhim:


You people of Rivers state are confused. Always having identity crises. Some of you Ikwerre will choose to be Igbo while others will choose not to be Igbo for political convenience sake. Same thing you are accusing Kalabari of doing. Why cant you people just take one stand and remain there?

Tomorrow if Nigeria's politics begins to favour the Igbos more than it does now some of you who said they are not Igbos will start claiming to be Igbos. Tufiakwa.

[s]I like Kalabari people too and will wish them to take a stand of their identity and remain their. Swinging from one identity to the other in the name of political convenience is a foolish act.[/s]

For now i like the development that Wike is bringing to PH. He should be allowed to complete 8 years then the Riverine can produce in 2023. If they still vote for another Ikwerre man in 2023 then their name will be SORRY.

Thanks for your concern but Kalabari people has never complained of identity crises to you. Keep your FAKE love to yourself and channel the energy to something more productive instead of unnecessary attachment.

As for Rivers politics, his successor will be an Ijaw man, whether he's Kalabari, Ibani, Opobo, Okrika, Abua Odual etc is not my concern...