The Inter-ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, INCRA, a Pan-Rivers group committed to the well-being of Rivers State, raises alarm over the demeaning treatment meted out on the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry and her aides by the Governor, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike. Statement released by their Interim Management Committee (IMT) reads :
"We consider it pertinent to let out this outcry and salvage the revered office of the Deputy Governor and its occupants from the vicious political manipulations aimed at smothering the Deputy Governor and reducing her office to a mere appendage of the Governor. Our concern derives principally from our core objective of engaging in activities that promote an efficient public process and advance good governance in Rivers State. As Rivers people, our interest in the progress of Rivers State rises above partisan limitations.
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| Dr Mrs Ipalibo Harry |
We have been observing the scene of events for a while and we consider the Governor's oppressive disposition towards the Deputy Governor and her office very vexatious and unbecoming at this point in time. The Deputy Governor has been a victim of a consuming and high level political power play within the Government House. She is no more than a glorified Personal Assistant to the Governor and this position does not support democratic usages and the efficient and transparent running of the government.
More troubling, is the fact that the office of the Deputy Governor is now supine and decorative and does not serve any important administrative or political purpose. The office is poorly funded and she is unable to pay the salaries and allowances of her appendages. One of her aides Mrs. Ibinabo Marshall Harry, has relocated abroad while Messrs Gilbert Brian, Asemota Uki and Frank Emenike and other of her aides have been relieved of their duties due to poor funding of the office. Her daughter who is also her Senior Special Assistant on General Duties is understandably the only one left at the moment.
What's more? Our intelligence reveals that the Deputy Governor is treated like an ordinary aide, perhaps her saving grace is the fact that she is elected and does not pose a jot of threat to the Governor, otherwise she would have been sacked. It is really sad that the Deputy Governor cannot assess the government House from her office, she is made to go through the main gate as other visitors to attend the State Executive Council meetings where she is just a mere participant.
We are surprised that Governor Wike would subject the Deputy Governor to this sort of mortifying treatment considering the fact that she lacks the political clout to unseat him or even pose a threat to him. Is this an indication of the Governor's rumoured misogyny or a reflection of his despotic tendencies?
It is evident to all that the Deputy Governor chose to follow a noble political path and has not shown any flare for the kind of earthy politics the Governor indulges in. We believe strongly that her refusal to join Governor Wike in his campaign of calumny against his predecessor, former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is a major reason for the humiliating treatment the Governor has subjected her to.
In the light of these undemocratic manifestations by Governor Wike against his Deputy, we call on the State Executive Council, the Speaker and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of the State as the head of the Judiciary, Civil Rights Groups, all Stakeholders and the general public to rise to the occasion and speak up against this emerging evil and highhandedness against the Deputy Governor of the State.
This is a clarion call to action to salvage our State from imminent descent into anarchy and chaos".
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