Wike Plans Closure Of 5,000 Schools Owned By Igbo, Hausa – APC

The Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged plot by Governor Nyesom Wike to shut about 5,000 schools belonging mostly to Igbo and Northerners in the state.

The APC claimed also that most of the schools allegedly marked for shutting by Wike are owned by members of its party.

The party, in a statement signed by the state chairman, Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, warned that “the consequences for the state would be grave” if Governor Wike should go ahead with the alleged plan.

“We have been reliably informed that Governor Wike has concluded plans to close down over 5,000 private schools by this October,” said Ikanya.

“The offence of the proprietors of these schools, both indigenes and non-indigenes (mostly of Igbo and Northern extradition) is that they are members of APC, so they must be ruined by declaring their educational institutions, which they have been operating all these years without any problem, illegal and marked for destruction.

“Governor Wike accused those against his evil plot of being fifth columnists (or APC men in PDP garb) and resolved that the best strategy is to tactically dissolve his cabinet and reconstitute it with those who will support his drive to deal with these APC sympathisers.”

The Rivers APC said Wike’s “absurd decision as the punitive action would throw over 40,000 small and medium school owners, teachers and education support services providers in the State would be thrown into the already-saturated job market.

“The road to this has been long in coming. He has found allies in men who do not have idea of the implications on the future of Rivers State. Wike in his satanic politics never considered the plight that these proprietors, their employees and students will face in implementing this drive aimed at putting APC where it belongs, according to him.

“Wike has done enough damage to the educational sector in Rivers State and should refrain from any action that would make Rivers one of the most educational disadvantaged states in the country.

“It is sad to note that apart from not putting the 300 modern model schools constructed and fully equipped by former Governor Chibuike Amaechi into use, Wike has stopped the scholarship scheme instituted and sacked the 13,350 teachers employed by the Amaechi administration. By so doing, Wike has put the Rivers State educational sector into serious jeopardy.

“Wike has become a demi-god who does not take the advice of his associates, elders, traditional and religious leaders. Even so, we beg him in the spirit of humanity to try to call himself to order and restrain himself from this satanic attack against innocent men and women who are promoting the educational and economic fortunes of the State through their educational entrepreneurship.

“We are convinced that God will not allow our dear State to remain for long in the hands of those who are determined to kill the future of our children and send most of our people into the labour market and to early death,” said the party while appealing to its members remain calm.