The Rivers State Government says it will not allow any part of the state to be balkanized or annexed under any guise.
The State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, stated this while playing host to a delegation of Ogbakor Etche at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, 9th February, 2021.
According to the Deputy Governor, Etche communities wrongly placed in Imo State on the 10th edition of the Administrative map of Nigeria would be corrected, stressing that the Governor Wike led Administration’s commitment to protect the interest of the Rivers People is not negotiable.
“I want you to assure your people, that they should just stay calm. There is a matter in court on this boundary issue, a matter instituted by the Rivers State Government against the Imo State Government on this and the matter is progressing, so you don’t need to entertain any fear”. Dr. Banigo stressed.
The Deputy Governor said by dialect, geographical, socio-cultural and political affinity the People of Etche Ethnic Nationality are Rivers People, adding that the 10th edition of the map ceding some parts of Etche to Imo State was an ill-fated and erroneous publication.
Dr. Banigo expressed gratitude to the People of Etche Ethnic Nationality for supporting the Governor Wike-led administration in the state.
Earlier the President- General of Ogbakor Etche, Charles Nwonuala, had informed the Deputy Governor that the People of Etche are not happy with the wrong placement of some communities in the 10th edition of the administrative map of Nigeria and appealed that the Rivers State Government should take up this challenge to protect the communities.
