FOOPP AS A CATALYST FOR POLITICAL REVOLUTION IN RIVERS STATE – CHIEF DAVIES IBIAMU IKANYA

Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, Chairman of the Forum of Organised Opposition Political Parties in Rivers State has finally made a public statement on the recently constituted Forum. Speaking to News correspondents at the Port Harcourt International Airport shortly after the departure of Prince Tonye Princewill to the US enroute Paris, he averred that the Forum has come to stay in Rivers State regardless of any under hand ploys, manoeuvres or tricks of political antagonists. He applauded all the parties involved, for their resolute doggedness in putting aside obvious differences to unite for the common purpose of moving the state forward in a move that by its very nature has placed the state at the forefront for Best Practices in the Nation's Political terrain.

On the allegation that the Forum was given some funds by the State Government to organise the opposition political parties in the State, Ibiamu regretted that Nigerians do not understand the constitutional provision that allows for the party in power to fund opposition political parties as a means of promoting democratic principles. This he said provides the people with alternative options and keeps the government on its toes in their 'race' to provide dividends of democracy to its people. Notwithstanding, he informed the News Correspondents that the Forum had not received any funding from the Rivers State Government and is financed from within the ranks of its constituted members.

On its activities so far, the Chairman indicated that a 3man Committee with Barr. Echie Iyke as Chairman, Hon. Benson Garshon as the Secretary and Chris Finebone as a member has been set-up to study every lapse predictable or otherwise, whist identifying areas of improvement in the State for immediate submission to the Governor.

Sounding very optimistic in his estimation of the expectations of the Forum he concurred thus, “I believe that this Committee will do a thorough job to show that we are not here to run down the government as being insinuated in some quarters but to make governance in the State better”. In his closing statements, he solicited for the support and assistance of the Press and the general public for the onerous task which in his opinion, “Destiny has bestowed on us”.

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze,
Media Consultant, FOOPP, Rivers State