Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has publicly distanced himself from the South-South Governors Forum’s recent condemnation of the situation in Rivers State, according to a statement released Thursday.
The statement, issued by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, in Benin City, clarified the Governor’s position, stating that he was not involved in the forum’s decision-making process regarding the Rivers State issue. “I was neither consulted nor informed about the position taken by the forum,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.
The South-South Governors’ Forum had previously issued a statement reacting to the political climate in Rivers, reportedly deeming it “condemnable.” The specific details of the situation that prompted this reaction were not elaborated upon in Governor Okpebholo’s statement.
While acknowledging the right of his fellow South-South governors to express their opinions, Governor Okpebholo firmly stated his dissent. “I recognize the right of other South-South governors to take a position on the matter. However, I dissociate myself from any statement opposing President Bola Tinubu’s decision on the Rivers political imbroglio,” he conceded.
The governor voiced his unequivocal support for President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the situation in Rivers State. “It is clear that President Bola Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, understands the issues at stake,” Okpebholo asserted.
He further emphasized his commitment to supporting the President’s efforts to foster stability in the region. The Governor concluded by expressing his “full support for the President’s actions aimed at bringing lasting solutions and peace to Rivers and the South-South zone.”
This divergence in opinion highlights a potential rift within the South-South Governors Forum regarding the appropriate response to the ongoing political complexities in Rivers State. The long-term implications of this disagreement remain to be seen.
