The Founder of Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has declared that the protracted political crisis rocking Rivers State is a spiritual problem, and not what any mortal can resolve.
Ibiyeomie recalled that President Bola Ahmed had put in his best efforts but said that the President’s interventions were unsble to douse the never ebbing fire.
The cleric’s remarks were contained in a viral video from the ongoing ‘Glory Reign’ Service at the church’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, which has entered its 4th day and which had in attendance, Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The Daily Crucible reports that the lingering political crisis buffecting the oil – rich Rivers State followed the struggle between former governor andinister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Nyesom Wike and Siminalayi Fubara, whom Wike helped become the successor – Governor.
The battle for the control of the political soul of Rivers State between Wike and Fubara is the driver of the crisis and this took a worrisom dimension after Fubara dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), making him the leader of APC in the state, a development that did not sit well with his former boss and political godfather.
Fubara is currently grappling with thickening impeachment plot from the state lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, who remained adamant in their resolve to remove the governor and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
Making reference to the crisis, Ibiyeomie said that it has followed a familiar trajectory of political conflict between successive governors and their predecessors, which he said explained why the cause isn’t physical.
“No mortal man can solve the political crisis in Rivers State. It is not a physical problem; it is a spiritual issue only God can resolve,” he declared.
He argued that even presidential intervention has failed to bring lasting peace to the state’s political landscape.
“Has the president been able to solve it? No. All Rivers governors have fought their predecessors. It has always been like that,” Ibiyeomie said.
Tracing the history of political conflicts in the state, the pastor cited former governors and their successors as examples of the pattern.
“Adah George was governor; Odili was under him and they fought. Odili had Amaechi as his boy and they fought. Amaechi had Wike as his boy and they fought. Wike had Fubara as his boy, and today Wike and Fubara are fighting,” he said.
Ibiyeomie painted a gloomy picture ahead, saying the crisis would persist regardless of political arrangements, noting that even if Governor Fubara were to choose his successor, the same conflict would manifest.
“If Fubara picks someone as his successor, that person will fight him. It can never stop by any physical means except by the hand of God,” he added.
The cleric said he had taken a spiritual stand against what he described as a “curse” over the state’s politics.
“I stand in my office today and declare that the curse is broken. They have tried all means, even the President has not been able to solve it,” he said.
