Jude Opara
Rivers State governor, Siminialayi Fubara has claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has failed the state.
Fubara said this while receiving a delegation from the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, led by Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, on Thursday.
The governor who was reportedly disappointed at the party’s silence on the crisis between him and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said the state would from now on, stand on its own soil and defend its democracy.
He said that Rivers was currently relying on a mass movement based on truth and consistency instead of party politics.
Fubara said: “In our state today we are no longer doing party. We are doing a movement, so you don’t blame me if I don’t go to the side of the party too much.
“The party has failed us here, so what we are doing here is to stand with our two legs on the soil of Rivers State, so that we can defend democracy.”The state if created will be known as ‘Orlu State’, with its capital in Orlu.
The bill, seeking to alter the 1999 Constitution (as amended) was sponsored by the member representing Ideato North/ Ideato South Federal Constituency, Ikenga Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, and 15 others, is currently awaiting second reading.
If passed, the bill would bring the number of states in the South-East to six, and the country to 37.
The proposed legislation, which was availed to newsmen on Thursday, indicated that the proposed state will be carved out from Imo, Abia and Anambra.
According to the proposed legislation, Local Government Areas that will form part of the proposed state include Orlu, Orsu, Oru West, Oru East, Ideato North, Ideato South, Njaba, Nkwerre, Nwangele and Isu. Others are Oguta, Ohaji Egbema, Onuimo, Ihiala, Uga, Ihiala, Uli, Ozubulu, Akokwa, Arondizuogu, Umuchu, Umunze, Umuaku.
Others are New Ideato North, Nwabosi West, Nwabosi East, Owerre Nkworji, Alaoma, Amaifeke, Owerrebiri Umuowa.
The sponsor of the bill told newsmen that if the proposed state is created, Ideato would become a senatorial district.
He begged his colleagues in the National Assembly for support to ensure that the bill scales through second reading.
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