First class traditional rulers in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State have resolved that the people of Ogoni Ethnic Nationality should be allowed to produce a successor to Governor Chibuike Amaechi come 2015.
The traditional rulers, which include, the Gbenemene of Nyo-Khana Kingdom, King Williams Nzidee, King Melford Eguru of Ken-Khana, and King Monday Noryaa of Babbe, said, the people will not accept any position less than governorship.
They spoke separately when the Ogoni Democratic Movement (ODM), a Non-Governmental Organization, campaigning for the emergence of a governor of Ogoni extraction in 2015, led by its President-General, Godwin Bazari visited them in their respective Kingdom.
Speaking in his palace, King Nzidee said, the decision that the people of Ogoni Ethnic Nationality will produce the governor of Rivers State in 2015 was reached during the tenure of former Governor Peter Odili, adding that nothing will stop an Ogoni from emerging as the next governor of the state.
He said, “We agreed that after the tenures of Dr. Peter Odili and Chibuike Amaechi, it will be the turn of Ogonis’. So, where are the noise coming from? There is nothing they can do to stop the Ogoni train. The gods of Ogoni land will join us to get that achieved.”
On his part, the Gbenemene Ken-Khana, King Eguru, appealed to other ethnic groups in the state, to support the agitation by his people to produce the next governor, pointing out that Ogoni gave similar support to other groups when they needed it.
“We have been supporting our brothers; now, we are asking them to support us. It is time for an Ogoni to be governor of Rivers State. Now is our time and we are asking for their support.” He opined.
Also speaking, King Noryaa of Babbe Kingdom, said it will be an act of injustice for anyone to deny Ogonis the opportunity to produce governor of Rivers State in 2015, and urged the people to take positive steps toward achieving the project.
“This is not time for too much talk; it is time for action. Our people are already mobilised and are aware of this project. We want an Ogoni to be governor in 2015 and nobody should try to stop us”. He declared.
President-General of ODM, Hon. Godwin Bazari, had told the traditional rulers that members of the group, which is a non-partisan organization, were on a campaign for the emergence of an Ogoni as the governor of Rivers State, come 2015.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre Democratic Initiative and Alliance (IDIA), and Obolo Consultative Forum (OCF), have joined in endorsing the clamour by the Ogoni Ethnic Nationality to produce the Governor of Rivers State come 2015.
Coordinator of IDIA, Dr. Eze Emenike, and leader of OCF, Chief Ala Nte, made the declaration in their separate speeches at Bori, during the inauguration of the Khana local government chapter of Ogoni Democratic Movement (ODM).
Dr. Emenike described the Ogoni governorship project as “an idea whose time has come”, and called on the people to believe in their ability to produce a successor to Governor Chibuike Amaechi in 2015.
“Ogoni project 2015 is an idea whose time has come, if you belief, unity will come automatically. Carry along other parts of the state during your stay in the Brick House from May 29, 2015; just like my brother Chibuike Amaechi is doing”. He declared.
On his part, OCF leader, Chief Nte said the People of Obolo (Andoni) ethnic nationality were solidly behind the Ogoni governorship project, pointing out that their support was in appreciation of similar gesture given to them by the Ogonis that led to the emergence of their son as Chairman of one of the political parties in Rivers State.
“Obolo people are solidly in support of the ODM campaign for an Ogoni governor. When God says it is time, nothing can stop it. Ogoni governorship project has come to stay. We are supporting the Ogonis because they supported us in the election of our son as Chairman of APC in the state.” He said.
Also speaking, a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Nesfield Nwikoh, said, but for Governor Amaechi, the people of Ogoni had suffered neglect despite their contributions to the growth of the country, adding that Ogonis will not accept anything less than governor while the Coordinator, Ogoni Solidarity Forum (OSF), Celestine Akpobari, warned that any Ogoni that chooses to work against the project would be regarded as a vulture.
Earlier in his address, President-General, ODM, Godwin Bazari, said the people of Ogoni have suffered enough and called on political parties in the country to pick their gubernatorial candidates for the forthcoming governorship election in Rivers State from Ogoni.
Bazari said, “ODM stands for the emergence of an Ogoni as governor of Rivers State come 2015. If you are in All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), or any other political party in Nigeria, your gubernatorial candidate must be an Ogoni man.”
