…As OBALGA Rededicates Council To God
The Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Hon. Barr. George Ariolu, has called on the clergy not to separate themselves from governance.
Addressing a joint clergy and ministers forum who paid him a courtesy visit at Council headquarters, Rumuodomaya on Monday, Ariolu noted that men of God are critical stakeholders in the affairs of the country that must always speak the truth and pray for the good of the country.
He emphasized that prayer points in churches will drop by 80% when there is good governance, even as the Chairman noted that God has two purposes of bringing leaders, either to punish the people or to liberate them, pointing out that, if the people sleep over their rights, God will give them somebody that will punish them.
His words, “We are Nigerians and you all belong to the society and you are integral party of that society, it is usually the clergys that are in the forefront of agitation of re-engineering any society”
“Though I didn’t see Desmond Tutu, but I read about his contributions in the political affairs of South Africa, he was a voice that was heard, up to the United Nation, and he was an Archbishop. The clergy are not exonerated from the hardship bedeviling our country today”.
Ariolu further advised them not to see the formation of the body as a political pressure group in order for it not to disintegrate.
“The only way this group will be sustained is when you are genuine to say that things are going wrong in our political space, and you want to stand between man and God to ask for His Will to be done”.
The council Chairman noted that Governor Wike will soon finish his tenure and he wants to leave with his shoulders high.
“Governors in Nigeria once they finish their tenure, they go to Senate, Gov Wike has the power after the presidential primary to take the Senate ticket but he said no, he stood his ground to say that Etche has not tasted it so they should go, that decision is what made Sir Celestian Omehia to run away because he wanted to go for Senate.
“Others said that Ikwerre are dominating and are more in numbers so Ikwerre should go back as governor again and that’s why the likes of Austin Opara left. inordinate ambition of selfish politician; they go out and deceive people. Governor Wike stood for justice and fair play and that is what I stand for too”.
Ariolu who maintained that Governor Wike is his political boss and mentor, declared: “He used Rivers money for Rivers people. He is still working.
I call him a rare Nigerian politician. This is his second tenure and he is still awarding and commissioning projects, when other governors are busy looking for what they will leave office with.
This has never happened before in the history of Nigeria politics, and all I am doing in the Council today that people are applauding me of, is his footstep and it is the right path to go”.
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the joint clergy and ministers forum of Rivers State, Reverend Richard Omoni Alete informed the Council boss that they were at the council headquarters to appreciate him for his good works.
He noted that the group has been praying for his Excellency, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for the emergence of Sir Siminialayi Fubara as the next governor of Rivers State as well as the Council Chairman since May of 2022. The Ministers later rededicated the Council headquarters to God.
Highlights of the visit was presentation of letter to the Council Chairman as a member of board of trustee of joint clergy and ministers forum in Rivers State and special prayer for the governor of the state and Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
