Ahead of the 2027 general elections, leaders from the Ogoni and Oyigbo zones in Rivers State have begun moves to replace Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Speaking at a gathering tagged Ogoni, Oyigbo People’s Assembly on Saturday, the zone leaders also threw their weight behind President Bola Tinubu.
The event was attended by prominent politicians in Nonwa in the Tai Local Government Area of Rivers. Dignitaries who are loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at the event include Senator Barinada Mpigi, Senator Magnus Abe, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, and Chief Victor Giadom.
The leaders emphasised unity and cooperation among the two ethnic nationalities that fall under the same senatorial district (Rivers South-East) that produced Fubara.
The leaders, in their resolution read by Senator Mpigi, demanded for Ogoni/Oyigbo governorship slot in 2027; and called for unity and cooperation among the Ogoni and Oyigbo people.
They called on the major political parties to consider Ogoni/Oyigbo candidates for governorship, as they condemned the activities of Fubara.
Senator Mpigi alleged that some political actors were visiting Aso Villa at night to declare their support for Tinubu and urged them to also do so openly in the day
He called on Tinubu to contest the 2027 general election to consolidate his efforts in improving the economy and complete his developmental projects.
The resolution reads, ” The Ogoni and Oyigbo Peoples Assembly, a multi-political convergence of five Local Government Areas within the Rivers South East Senatorial District today met to reaffirm their support for the President Bola Tinubu’s led administration
“And pledged total loyalty to the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike – as the political leader of Rivers State as well as reiterate the obvious fact that the Senatorial District’s upland is due for a governor and should produce the next governor of Rivers State come 2027.
“I call on Mr. President to contest the 2027 election and finish the numerous projects, including the Coastal Roads, Badagry Express Road, and others. ”
The leaders commended the FCT minister for uniting Ogoni and Oyigbo politically and condemned recent comments by elder statesman, Edwin Clark against Wike’s.
Speaking earlier, Ambassador Akawor said since the Ijaw people within the senatorial district have segregated themselves from the upland, they, the upland, are going to make a statement that will change the political history of the state come 2027.
On his part, South-South Deputy National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Chief Victor Giadom, thanked Tinubu for his people-oriented reforms and urged major parties (PDP and APC) to consider Ogoni/Oyigbo for the governorship slot in 2027.
On his part, Senator Magnus Abe emphasized the importance of peace and unity, while the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dumnamene Dekor, stressed Ogoni/Oyigbo’s capacity to produce the next governor.
Also, former federal lawmaker, Emmanuel Deeyah, praised Tinubu and Wike for their love for the Ogoni and development strides in Nigeria’s development.(Punch)
