From: TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
Civil Society groups in Rivers State have cried called on politicians to leave them out of politics, threatening to expose anyone that attempts to infiltrate their ranks.
The outcry followed the recent revelations made by the Executive Director of a non-governmental organization (NGO), Integrity Group, Livingstone Wechie, declaring that his corruption allegations against immediate past governor of the state, Chibuike Amaechi, was based on falsehood.
Wechie had, among other issues, alleged that the documents he used in prosecuting Amaechi for misappropriating the state funds were falsified documents handed over to him by the present administration in the state.
Spokesman of Civil Societies Platform in the state, Christian Lekia, stated this, on Wednesday, while briefing newsmen on the embarrassment Wechie’s statements had caused them.
Lekia, who is the National President of Niger Delta Coalition Against Violence (NDCAV) noted that civil society groups play a crucial role in the advancement of any society, cautioning that politicians should not drag them into politics.
He further said that civil society groups in the state have disassociated themselves from Wechie, for speaking from both sides of his mouth on serious issues, urging activists within the civil society family with any political leaning to join any political party of their choice.
Lekia further appealed to politicians to face their primary responsibility for delivery of dividends of democracy to the people, rather than causing confusion in the land.