Wike: Why I Declared Rivers A Christian State

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said that he has no regrets declaring the state a Christian State as he on Sunday praised the Christian Community in the state for standing firm to defeat what he described as the forces of democratic darkness on March 9, 2019.

The Governor noted that Rivers Christians insisted on Rivers mandate  must be respected,  despite  the ugly plots against Rivers State. 

He spoke at the 2019 Election Victory Thanksgiving Service in his honour and Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo by all the Anglican Dioceses of Rivers State at Saint Paul’s Cathedral,  Port Harcourt on Sunday. 

He said: “I want to use this medium to thank the Church for  their support.  It is important for us to realise  that but for the support and prayers of the Church,  we wouldn’t have  attained victory. 

“I heard that some people are angry  that I declared Rivers as a Christian State.  With what happened on March 9, 2019, it re-emphasised my conviction that Rivers is a Christian State. Nobody can intimidate  me into changing  my  position”.

Governor Wike assured the Church that he will never disappoint the church,  noting that he will  continue to deliver  development  to the state.

“I will not disappoint the Church.  I will continue  to support  the Church.  When people who think that they are God came, Christians stood firm and showed that Rivers State is a Christian State “, he said. 

He stated that all his actions during his second term would be geared towards growing the state. He said some of his policies may be tough, but they will be pro-people in nature. 

The Governor reiterated the state’s  rejection of RUGA settlements for herdsmen in whatever form it would be introduced by the authorities.  He said that the state can only donate ocean water to the system via the laying of water pipelines to serve the cattle in the northern part of the country. 

In a sermon,  the Anglican Bishop of Okrika Diocese,  Rt Rev Tubokosemie Abere said the Thanksgiving Service marks the beginning of a  glorious era in Rivers State. 

He said: “Today marks the journey of a glorious era of our State. The attitude of Thanksgiving will never end in our state”.

The Saint Paul’s Choir and the Government House Port Harcourt Choir sang two songs that prayed God  to bless Rivers State,  grant her peace and create the right environment for development. 

The Thanksgiving Service was officiated by the Anglican Bishop of Okrika Diocese,  Rt Rev Tubokosemie Abere, Bishop of Diocese of Ahoada,  Rt Rev Clement Ekpeye,  Bishop of Ogoni Diocese , Rev Dr Solomon Gberegbara,  Bishop of Etche Diocese,  Rt. Rev Okechukwu Nwala, Bishop of Ikwerre Diocese,  Rt Rev  Blessing Enyindah,  Bishop of Evo Diocese,  Rt Rev Innocent Ordu,  Bishop of Niger Delta Diocese,  Rt Rev Cornelius Ebirien and Bishop of Niger Delta North,  Rt Rev Wisdom Ihunwo. 

In a remark,  Bishop of Evo Diocese,  Rt Rev Innocent Ordu the entire Anglican Community in Rivers State celebrate Governor Wike and Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo  for their contribution to the development of the State. 

He said that Governor and his Deputy as confirmed Anglican parishioners have lived up to the expectations  of the people. 

Prayers were said for Rivers State,  Governor Wike,  Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo and the country.  All Dioceses published goodwill messages for the Rivers State Governor and his administration. 

Songs of praise and worship rent the air and lifted the spirit of parishioners who attended  the  Thanksgiving Service. 

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