The coordinators of the Grassroots Growth Initiative, a political arm of the Peoples Democratic Social gathering in Rivers State, shaped by ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, have introduced their withdrawal from the initiative.
The GDI coordinators in twelve native authorities areas introduced the event on Monday once they paid a courtesy go to to Wike's successor and estranged political godson, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The GDI coordinators have been led by Collins Onunwo, who was the coordinator for Obio/Akpor Native Authorities Space.
In response to Onunwo, the GDI was instrumental within the election of Wike as governor however the coordinators have now determined to dump the platform and work with Fubara for the larger good of the state.
There may be at present an undercurrent of bitterness between Wike and Fubara.
Their relationship broke down final 12 months, as evidenced by an try by 27 members of the Rivers State Home of Meeting, loyal to Wike, to oust Fubara.
Wike accused Fubara of destroying his political construction just some months after taking energy.
The coordinators who dumped the GDI have been from Obio/Akpor, Ogu/Bolo, Port Harcourt Metropolis, Opobo/Nkoro, Gokana, Bonny, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Oyigbo, Asari-Toru and Akuku-Toru native authorities areas.
Talking to journalists after their assembly with Fubara, Onunwo, a former chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, stated the prime mission of the GDI was to guard, defend and promote the pursuits of Rivers State and its folks.
He said: “We would like the general public, Rivers folks and all Nigerians to know that GDI is the group based by the previous Governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike. That group introduced him to energy in 2015 and supported his ambition in 2019. That group is his energy.
“However right now we and our supporters have determined that we’re now not a member of GDI. The reason being easy: we need to be with the folks of Rivers. The significance of the rivers comes first.
“In 2012, GDI's curiosity was to guard, defend and promote our brother-in-law, President Goodluck Jonathan, due to our mom and sister, Dame Endurance Jonathan; and it introduced good dividends to the state.
“It was via that wrestle that our brother, Chief Nyesom Wike, turned governor in 2015; and in 2019, when Abuja politicians stated he wouldn’t return for a second time period, all of us rallied behind him and defended our votes, and he served for eight years.
“In the present day, the curiosity of Rivers is to guard our votes that delivered Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Government Governor of Rivers State, in essentially the most credible, truthful and violence-free election.
“We’ve joined tens of millions of Rivers girls, youth, elders and different well-meaning individuals who insist that we should defend our votes to maintain democracy.
“Our concern is that we voted for the PDP and Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and we should defend that mandate with every thing now we have.”
Onunwo warned those that fought towards the Chief of Workers of Authorities Home, Dr. Edison Ehie, to retrace their steps or put together to face the wrath of Rivers youths, girls and elders.
Additionally, former Public Relations Officer of GDI, Christian Abu, described the group because the automobile and political construction for the successes recorded within the earlier elections within the state.
He stated it was time to maneuver on and be a part of forces with Fubara.
On the assembly have been the State Chairman of the Nationwide Youth Council of Nigeria, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo; Particular Adviser to the Governor of Energy, Prince Solomon Eke; amongst different issues.