The Rivers Leadership Advancement Foundation (RIVLEAF) has cautioned Governor Nyesom Wike to urgently watch his utterances and not destroy the vision of the founding fathers of the state.

In a statement by its Director of Communications, Nnatah Peters Onyeche,

On Friday, the group also berated the Governor for acts unbecoming of a public office holder who should shape the hopes and aspirations of Rivers people.

RIVLEAF's admonition comes against the background of a broadcast by Wike on Friday where he allegedly threw caution to the wind and made statements undeserving of the office he occupies.

RIVLEAF tasked the Governor to devise new ways of speaking on matters of state and national importance, while insisting that his utterances “were doing incalculable damage to the people and image of the state.”

RIVLEAF admonished Governor Wike to show a reasonable sense of responsibility when addressing the state as there are better ways of passing messages across without sounding boastful and vengeful.

“Time and time again, Governor Wike speaks as if he has conquered the state, as if he is the owner, creator, and benefactor of the state; he speaks as though he inherited the state from his father,” and reminded the Governor that Rivers people are not conquered and will never be conquered by a civilian dictator.

The group said: “Rivers people contributed sweat, grit and industry to bring the state to where it is and one man will not destroy it in eight years.

“There are much more decent ways of making statements without sounding combative and desperate. Nobody is flexing muscles with him and he should know that. The situation in the country calls for measured responses and decency.

“It is during occasions like this that you know those who are statesmen, those who will not play politics with delicate situations and who weigh their words rather complicating things.”

RIVLEAF charged the Governor to stop threatening those living and doing business in the state but seek ways of mutual respect in bringing about greater development.

According to the group, it looks as though Governor Wike is targeting the oil and gas industry with the latest arrest of workers of ExxonMobil. This is unnecessary and capable of having an international backlash on Nigeria.

“The Governor himself during his state broadcast exempted oil workers from the lockdown. One would have expected him to meet with the oil majors and fashion out mutual ways of ensuring compliance with the state’s directive.

“While the Governor reserves the right to protect the state, he should do so in cooperation with various agencies of the federal government and corporate bodies, rather than threatening them all the time.