The executive council of the Port Harcourt Motor Parts Dealers Union, Ikokwu, Rivers State, has condemned a recent media report attributed to Pastor Festus Onyenwe, which alleged that Governor Siminalayi Fubara does not care about the Igbo community in the state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and jointly signed by Mr. Vincent Ignatius Onwuzuruike, Line Chairman and Zonal Leader of the union, Mr. Ikenna Nwokomgbe, chairman of the Dickson/Ihioma union, and Mr. Charles Uzochukwu Opia, chairman of the 7B Line union, the group stressed that Onyenwe had no mandate to speak for the union or Ndi-Igbo in Rivers State.
The union said, “He did not get the mandate of the union to make such a purported statement and cannot speak for Ndi-Igbo in Rivers State. He does not have the consent and authority of the union to make such baseless statements against the governor.”
The union further reaffirmed its apolitical stance, emphasizing its focus on the safety, unity, and progress of the state and its residents. “Rivers State is home to Ndi-Igbo anytime, any day, and we are committed to its development, peace, and unity,” the statement added.
The traders acknowledged the achievements of the state government and the intervention of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, Rivers State chapter, in ensuring that Governor Fubara recognizes the contributions of Igbo people to the state’s economy.
The union added, “We shall not sit back and watch any individual sabotage the highly productive efforts recorded so far. We are aware of the commitment of the governor to ensure that our needs are met, and we will not take it for granted.”
It reiterated its support for all initiatives aimed at the economic growth of the state, highlighting that Igbo traders in Rivers State, including members of the Ikokwu Motor Spare Parts Dealers, remain critical stakeholders in the state’s development.
The union urged the public to disregard the purported statement by Onyenwe, describing it as baseless and without merit.
