Rivers disagree with Agbakoba over Omehia’s ex-gov status

The Rivers State government has disagreed with the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), on the recognition of Sir Celestine Omehia as an ex-governor of the state.

The state governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, had on June 25, 2015, restored the rights and benefits of Omehia as a former governor of the state while hanging his (Omehia) portrait on the wall in the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Omehia, who was sworn in as the governor of the state on May 29, 2007, was replaced by Rotimi Amaechi on October 25, 2007 through the verdict of the Supreme Court.

Since then, Omehia was not recognised as a former governor of the state by the immediate past administration.

Wike’s action seems not to have gone down well with Agbakoba, who described Omehia’s recognition as a former governor as useless, unnecessary and capable of overheating the system.

But the state Commissioner for Housing and former spokesman to Omehia, Mr. Emma Okah, maintained that the state government had the powers to accord a special privilege to anybody without reference to any court judgement.

Expressing surprise that the reconciliatory and uniting action of the state governor could annoy Agbakoba, Okah said in a statement in Port Harcourt yesterday that litigants could still seek peace outside court ruling as such a step would heal old wounds.

“This is purely a political concession, far away from the courts. There must be an end to acrimony and bitterness or politics of hate. As a people, we should encourage harmony, peace and consensus building so that we can put the agony of yesterday behind us and together, move the state to greater heights.

“In all jurisdictions, litigants can still seek peace outside the court room or even after judgement and such agreements calm frayed nerves and heal wounds better and faster. A time comes when as leaders, you need to think outside the box to solve political problems and create happiness for the people.