The Rivers Ijaw Peoples Congress have tendered an apology to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike over Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara’s “bad behaviour”.
The elders issued the apology at the Rivers State Ijaw Peoples Congress which held on Saturday in Port Harcourt.
They urged the former Rivers Governor not to “abandon them over Fubara’s insolence”, adding that he had done well for their ethnic group.
The Ijaw Elders also hailed the Minister for making it possible for one of them to occupy the numeber one office in the state.
Speaking at the event, prominent Ijaw leader and former Senator Dr George Thompson Sekibo gave a list of Ijaw sons the FCT Minister facilitated their appointments in the Tinubu administration.
Senator Sekibo, who is the leader of Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress, said: “Your Excellency, we can’t thank you enough. You have demonstrated your love for Ijaw nation. You are our son, brother, and leader.”
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The executive director of finance in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Boma Iyaye, who apologised to Wike on behalf of the elders, said “On behalf of our people, we are apologising to you for what our son is doing to you.
“We are sorry because it is not in our nature to pay evil for good. You have done well for us, and we will continue to say, thank you.
“Your excellency, do not because of this bad behaviour of our son, run away from us. Continue to be our brother. Continue to have us in mind.
“We have never set our feet on the number one seat of Rivers State. You made it possible for us to become the governor of Rivers state.”
Speaking on behalf of the G5, former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, described the FCT Minister as “a good man, who would never abandon his friends.”
“We appreciate God for Wike and we appreciate Ijaw people for this reception. He is a good man and a good friend and brother. He will not abandon his friend and brother at the time of his needs.
“We appreciate Mr. President for appointing you the Minister and we appreciate you for not disappointing Mr. President. We pray for you”, Ortom said.
Also speaking at the event, Governor of Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri urged Wike and Fubara to settle their rift for peace to reign in the state. 
He said as one of the leaders of the PDP, they would continue to look for ways to reconcile Wike and the governor.
Fintiri said: “He is a very good man. I thank the Ijaw people for organising this reception in honour of what the leader is doing. It is not easy to recognize someone doing good in this country.
“This celebration is an honor and a way means to build on the peace of Rivers. This honour sends a message that what is happening is temporary. It will send a message to Fubara to come and reconcile with his master.
“We will continue to work with Wike and the G5. It is not easy for a man to stand tall and build bridges across this country. Wike has built people and made friends all over. He had worked.
“Most of us are challenged by what we have come to see in Rivers. I picked this challenge from Wike. You have a son that you will continuously celebrate. We will continue as leaders of our party to see that we build a reconciliation between Wike and your governor”
Present at the event include the former governors and members of the G5, Samuel Ortom, Benue; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu and Okezie Ikpeazu; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion are respected Rivers and Ijaw leader Chief Ferdinand Alabraba; Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu; Senators Sandy Onor; Phillip Tanimu Aduda, Chief Dan Orbih; Brother Felix Obuah; Dr Dakorinama George Kelly, Hon Flag Ojukaye Amachree among other distinguished Rivers leaders
