A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rev Sam Ken, has thrown his weight behind the arrest and probe of some former governors by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), describing them as criminally-minded person, who do not have the sympathy of their fellow human beings at heart.

The tough taking politician further told Daily Sun in Warri, Delta State that the ex-governors do not have conscience, adding that they should pay for their sins.

Rev. Ken, who is the immediate past Secretary of the Warri South-West Local Government Area was, however, furious over the removal of former chairman of the EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, stressing that his ouster was masterminded by those who have something to hide.

On the lingering militancy in Rivers State, the cleric described the scenario as a complex situation, which he blamed on two issues that must be resolved in order to have permanent peace.
The Warri-based cleric spoke more on national issues.

Arrest of ex-governors
All I can say is that their arrest and the subsequent probe they are facing now is timely because some of them did not do anything other than loot irresponsibly. It is a pity that these corrupt ones did not remember the consequences that may follow their misdeeds. It serves them right.
Most worrisome is that most of the ex-governors don’t have conscience, thence they have to go from palace to prison. They cannot mess up the society and go free because God oversees everything.

The unrest in Rivers State
The scenario is River State is complex because it has social foundation. In short, it is divided into two segments. By God’s design, Ijaw live in the riverine areas, while the Igbo live in upland, but the Ikwerre, who are in the same state with the Ijaw have been marginalising the Ijaws because they are cousins of the Igbo.

When land in Port Harcourt were being sold, Igbo were in charge. They had powers, with which they used to favour the Igbo to the detriment of Ijaw. This is why the Igbo owned the structures in Port Harcourt city.
The Igbo’s outright marginalisation of Ijaw made Ijaws to join the Nigerian Army to fight and later liberate Rivers State from their clutches. It is a pity that in Rivers State, the man from upland continues to be the governor. In view of these facts, I can say categorically that the Ijaw man is not comfortable with Ikwerre man because of land issue.

You see, when an Ikwerre man becomes the governor in River State, Ijaw man is always afraid that he (Ikwerre man) will be against their interest, hence Ijaw are always fighting to frustrate the Ikwerre man. Rivers State situation is complex and it has endemic ethnic colouration. Until equity, justice and equality reigns, there will be no peace in that oil rich state because he who wants equity must come with clean hands.

Nuhu Ribadu’s removal
Ribadu has tried, but it is bad for people to wake overnight and remove a man who has been working hard. But the masterminds of his removal should know that Ribadu is a graduate and a lawyer who knows his right from left. He remains undaunted anyway. The man is so vast and knowledgeable that he knows the importance of going on course. They cannot force him to proceed on course and it is not true that he cannot be promoted without going on course as claimed by the police authorities.

I will continue to say and believe it that his removal was a clever design planned by his enemies who are equally afraid of being arrested by the EFCC.

My contention is that he should be encouraged instead of condemned. In fact, eminent Nigerians, such as Chief Gani Fawehinmi and others have praised him for his courageous fight against corruption.
Let me tell those who care to listen that there is nothing to probe. Anybody, who has anything against him should come out and say so. For instance, I have worked in several places, and I have chosen not to steal, hence, I don’t have a block of foundation of a house.

No doubt, Ribadu’s removal is the antics of criminals. He doesn’t have a skeleton in h is cupboard. It is a trick by criminals to force him out. Ribadu is transparent and I am happy to say that anytime, any day.
Lamorde

President Umar Yar’Adua decided to retain him because he worked diligently with Ribadu and there is also a glimmer of hope for retaining Lamorde. President Yar’Adua also retained him because he is good, not out of his benevolence. Lamorde should not disappoint Nigerians. That is my advice to him.