Former Head of State, Dr. Yakubu Gowon, has
said he has elected to wade into the political
crisis that has pitted President Goodluck
Jonathan against Rivers State Governor, Hon.
Chibuike Amaechi.
Jonathan himself has also expressed sadness
that the crisis has created tension in Rivers
State and called for efforts to end the lingering
differences.
On his part, Amaechi said while he was not
averse to settlement, peace would only come
when there is social justice.
The three leaders spoke yesterday at a
symposium to mark the centenary celebration
of Port Harcourt City.
Gowon, who was the chairman of the
occasion, said he had wished Jonathan would
attend the ceremony in person and had
wanted to use the opportunity to ensure that
the handshake the president and Amaechi
would exchange would not be mere politeness
but genuine exchange of pleasantries as
brothers.
He said: “As we gather to celebrate 100 years
of the founding of Port Harcourt, I will like to
take the opportunity to counsel that we all
continue to work for peace and stability of
Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.
“This is because if any part of our land is not
at peace, everyone will suffer the
consequences at one time or the other.
“It is in this regard that I especially commend
Mr. President for making out time to attend
this event which is a great opportunity at
celebrating a proud heritage while mending
fences and rebuilding bridges.
“In the same vein, I like to appreciate Governor
Rotimi Amaechi whose handshake with Mr.
President, will not be a mere ceremonial
courtesy to fulfill all righteousness.
“For the record, I would not have attended this
event if I had reason to believe that the
possibility of brokering peace between the key
leaders of thought had been foreclosed. I urge
you to take the opportunity of this centennial
celebration to unite, the more so as you are
both at ‘home’ here in Port Harcourt.”
Since Jonathan did not attend the ceremony in
person, Gowon said he would use any
opportunity that presented itself, like the
Council of State meeting to ensure that both
leaders were reconciled.
Commenting on the centenary of Port Harcourt
city, Gowon noted that the city had grown from
a railway terminus and seaport to a
metropolitan city and the headquarters of oil
and gas sector in the country.
“My respect and admiration for Port Harcourt
stems from several factors: the quality of men
and women which it has produced over the
years, its contribution to national stability and
its potential for serving as a major commercial
hub of our country,” he said.
He noted that the city had paid a huge price
for its status. According to Gowon, “Between
1967 and 1970, Port Harcourt did not escape
the scars of the civil war, especially during the
period immediately before and after its
liberation from rebel Biafran secessionist
forces in 1968.
“In the 1990s, especially between 1993 and
1999, Port Harcourt became the hotbed of civil
agitation that culminated in the Ogoni crisis.
“In the period after that, Port Harcourt has
witnessed several bouts of restiveness from
the youths as well as from militants and of
course the recent internal political crisis
upheaval in the state.
“These notwithstanding, Rivers State in
general and Port Harcourt in particular have
experienced quick recovery, thanks to the
resilient spirit associated with Nigeria and
Nigerians, which indeed, was at work in the
periods of adversity.
“Recovery was also made possible by the
single-minded determination of the peoples
and successive governments to ensure the
survival of the state and democracy in
Nigeria.”
In his speech as the special guest of honour,
Jonathan, who was represented by his Special
Adviser, Documentation and Strategy, Mr.
Oronto Douglas, said he was worried about the
political crisis in the state and called for efforts
to resolve it.
He said: “Even as we celebrate, I have
observed with pains that the struggle for
political space in recent times is creating
unnecessary tension in this city which has
served all of us so well.
“I believe that this is not the best that Port
Harcourt deserves. We can all as fathers,
mothers and leaders do more to intervene and
help douse the fire of partisan differences, in
order to preserve the peaceful glory of Port
Harcourt. This city will always be home for me,
and I believe, for millions of others as well.”
Jonathan recalled his days in Port Harcourt
where he worked as a preventive officer in the
Customs and Excise Department. He said the
city maintained a magnetic pull on anybody
that had lived there.
He also said Port Harcourt had over the years
produced men and women of repute in diverse
fields and that the federal government
acknowledged the city’s place in the
development of the nation.
Amaechi, on his part, expressed regret that
Jonathan could not attend in person due to
official engagements, stating that it would
have presented an opportunity to thank him,
as he did others, for his contribution to the
growth of the city.
He said: “I thank you former head of state for
accepting to come, I had thought that Mr.
President would come so that we can also
thank him for his own contribution to the
development of Rivers State, but unfortunately
he’s not here.”
On Gowon’s call for peace, Amaechi said:
“Former head of state, I don’t see you as a
former head of state alone, I see you as a
father, it will be difficult to refuse you what you
asked for, but I’m a Catholic. If you see any
Catholic priest ask him; the church does not
preach peace, the church preaches social
justice.
“If social justice is put in place, what happens?
Peace will come. So there’s no disagreement
between the president and I. I respect him as
my president, I respect the fact that he’s an
intellectual, I respect the fact that God has
blessed him to get to that throne, nobody can
get to that throne without the blessing of God
and disrespect to that office is disrespect to
God. I was told that by my priests and my
bishops.
“But I was also told that you cannot watch
oppression because if you watch oppression
you will die and the prayer I had this morning
was Lord, what would it benefit you if I die,
who would praise you? I will no longer be able
to praise you if I die, so keep me alive to be
able to praise you. That was my prayer to God
today.
“So I submit completely to the president,
completely, but on behalf of these Rivers
people I also ask for social justice. I believe
that the president means well, I believe that
the country has so many problems that he has
to bear, like he said as the leader, a lot of
people will abuse you and all that, but you
must continue.
“I support him in accepting that, I support him
to continue to govern the country and I assure
you sir, peace will come.”
The ceremony also witnessed the unveiling of
two books: Port Harcourt at 100: Past, Present
and Future; and Economic Development of
Rivers State.
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