As Barrister Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State, prepares to attend a Civic Reception organized in his honour by the Kalabari nation, feelers being received suggest the Ikwerre-born politician may walk into a carefully laid ambush.
The aim, according to information, is not to cause bodily harm to the State Governor who has been invited to visit the area.
On the contrary, there is widespread excitement among the people, and organizers of the event who are on ground are making sure everything goes on as planned.
Security, as usual, has been beefed up ahead of the Governor’s visit to the Kalabari Kingdom.
Our Correspondents are reporting that inspite of the rain which fell a couple of days ago, the top soil in a marshy terrain is good enough to receive the footfall of visitors who would throng the venue.
In Port Harcourt where the Governor and members of his entourage would take off from, the sun is up in the sky.
Metrologist do not appear to think that weather conditions are likely to change dramatically in the Kalabari region.
Whatever happens, all is set for the civic reception that has been put together by the Chiefs and people of Kalabari.
The Kalabaris intend to make a statement like never before.
They are pleased by the number of development projects cited in their area, and satisfied with the placement of their sons and daughters in key offices under the current administration.
Beyond these, the Kalabaris are happy that Governor Wike is associated with the success story that has been written so far in terms of huge government presence in their area.
In saying thank you, the Kalabaris who in the pre-Nigerian era enjoyed ties with early Portuguese traders, are hoping to hit the bull’s eye on a matter considered “very crucial.”
For months, the Kalabaris have been scheming to secure the opportunity to host the Rivers Governor.
A committee chaired by the Secretary to Government, Dr Alaba Danagogo has been working round the clock since last year to actualize the Kalabari desire to host the governor.
Today, Saturday, February 5, 2022, that dream, shared by most PDP sympathizers all over Kalabari Land, would come true.
The Kalabaris who are expected to turn out in their numbers would be rolling out the red carpet for Wike and members of his entourage.
Yet, it would be an opportunity for the Rivers State Government to take stock of the level of its commitment to, and level of involvement in the development arena, especially in providing basic infrastructure in the communities.
For Governor Nyesom Wike, the Kalabari visit is likely to create an avenue for the august visitor as some would describe him to make policy pronouncements.
Political as well as economic observers who are watching the Rivers State say Wike would be visiting Kalabari land in the midst of a fierce war.
It is a war designed to rescue the environment, an effort to defend the State’s ecosystems that are being degraded by man-made activities, and a chance to seriously check the impact of actions by illegal refiners and bunkers that are endangering the health of citizens.
In Akuku Toru alone, no less than 27 new kpofire refineries have been located by the local authorities.
We are yet to obtain accurate updates in terms of statistics from Asari Toru and Degema Local Government Areas at this time.
But the signs indicate that progress is being made in Asari Toru and Degema Local Government Areas to catch up with illegal bunkerers and others in the illegal business chain who are running kpofire refineries and engaging in bunkering.
The organizers of the Civic Reception are planning to showcase the hospitality for which the Kalabari are known as well as the rich cultural heritage of the people who inhabit the banks of the New Calabar River.
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All is fair in war, the old saying goes, and so the Kalabaris, experienced seafarers, would indeed be searching for the perfect chance to place the icing on the cake.
That would be when the Kalabari nation on behalf of itself and the Riverine people would ask for a concession to occupy Government House.
The thinking in certain Kalabari circles seem to support the idea that there would be no harm, prior to the commencement of the 2023 race, in presenting the Kalabari demand for the governorship ticket of the PDP.
The Kalabaris also believe that they have given tremendous support to the Wike administration and the PDP.
They think now is the time for the rest of the State, including the State Governor to support their bid.
In doing so, the Kalabaris will not be the first in Rivers to make such a demand since the transition program entered a critical stage.
The Ogonis who also received Wike have asked for a chance to grab the State’s governorship slot.
Somehow, the Kalabaris would be praying that the governor will be most favourably disposed towards their request.
Almost 24 years after a prominent Kalabari son, Chief Ebenezer Isokrari made a strong bid for the governorship against Dr Peter Odili, the closest they have come to occupying Brick House was in 2019 when little known Biokpo Awara supported by the APC gave Wike a fight.
According to what we are hearing, the Kalabari nation is hoping to use the occasion of the Civic Reception to make a passionate plea.
That of course would be after they have thanked the Governor for his kindness in reclaiming land from the surrounding waters, and embarking on the construction of the Trans Kalabari Road.
Wike has been insisting he would have no hand in who succeeds him. He has rather suggested that anyone who will succeed him will have the capacity as well as love for the masses.
But anxious Kalabaris are optimistic that they may get him to look favourably at their quest to occupy Brick House.
Given the posture of the APC which appears bent on picking a candidate from the Riverine, if Wike agrees to the request and pledges support, the road may well be open for an all Riverine race.
Dr Seconte Davis had attempted to describe the civic reception as a PDP affair, but with the involvement of the Chiefs and people, Davis may well be suggesting that the entire Kalabari kingdom is PDP.