The coordinators of the Grassroots Development Initiative, a political arm of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State formed by ex-governor Nyesom Wike, have announced their withdrawal from the initiative.
The GDI coordinators in 12 local government areas revealed the development on Monday when they paid a courtesy visit to Wike’s successor and estranged political godson, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The GDI coordinators were led by Collins Onunwo, who was the coordinator for the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
According to Onunwo, the GDI played a major role in Wike’s election as governor but the coordinators have now decided to dump the platform and team up with Fubara in the overall interest of the state.
There is currently an undercurrent of acrimony between Wike and Fubara.
Their relationship broke down last year as revealed by an attempt by 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Wike to impeach Fubara.
Wike accused Fubara of destroying his political structure only a few months after taking the reins of power.
“In 2012, GDI interest was to protect, defend and promote our brother-in-law, President Goodluck Jonathan, because of our mother and sister, Dame Patience Jonathan; and it yielded good dividends to the state.
“Through that struggle, our brother, Chief Nyesom Wike, became governor in 2015; and in 2019, when Abuja politicians said he would not return for a second term, we all rallied round him and defended our votes, and he served for eight years.
“Today, Rivers interest is to protect our votes that brought in Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Executive Governor of Rivers State, in the most credible, fair and violence-free election.
We have come to join millions of Rivers women, youths, elders, and other well-meaning people who insist that we must protect our votes to sustain democracy.
“Our concern is that we voted for the PDP and Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and we must protect that mandate with all we have.”
Onunwo cautioned those fighting against the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie, to retrace their steps, or prepare to face the wrath of Rivers youths, women, and elders.
Also speaking, former Public Relations Officer of GDI, Christian Abu, described the group as the vehicle and political structure for the successes recorded in the previous elections in the state.
He said it was time to move on and join forces with Fubara.
At the meeting were the State Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo; Special Adviser to the Governor on Power, Prince Solomon Eke; among others.
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