Signs, comments and movement that all is no longer okay and rosy as envisaged in the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have emerged following the endorsement and adoption of Dakuku Adol Peterside, Ph.D. as the consensus candidate of the party for the February 28th, 2015 gubernatorial race in the state.
The All Progressives Congress which arrogate itself as an agent of change have resorted to imposition of candidates for its various elective offices with the cover up and guise of instituting a change without an atom of proof.
The stories are virtually too much and same from respective quarters or local government areas, as the Eleme chapter of that party took the leading role to break the nuts of silence, followed by Oyigbo, Asari-Toru, Okrika, Ogba-Egbema, Omuma, Andoni chapters and others.
Taking from clockwise or anti-clockwise directions, the stories are that, the governor said this or that and one thing that baffles many is that nobody in the party was ready, willing or courageous to correct or advice the governor on certain decisions as regard the way to move the party forward in the state.
As political analysts, by the grace of God most of the issues discussed on this platform has come to fruition, playing out positively, hence attracting numerous accolades from within and outside Nigeria, Rivers and otherwise.
It is now becoming clearer, and after February 28th, 2015 no matter the antics by any highly placed individual, many would tend to change or brand this platform with many names such as visioners, dreamers, soothsayers and what have you, but only regular readers of Issues Abattoir on The Newswriter would be able to do just that.
Again, the place of the APC in Nigeria, particularly in Rivers State polity would be clearer irrespective of any odds after the said date, that is to say but very friendly if you have followed this platform to date.
The fact, that APC in Rivers seems sinking if at all it has any stand before now would not be an understatement to those who love frank talks. The truth about aggrieved Ogonis current position is yet unknown, though they sound friendly today, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of ones enemy, be ware.
If all media reports flying over the air ways is anything to go by, which of course the truth is not far from it, it then means that, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the APC are currently facing mounting challenges because of his ambition to clinch personal interest in 2015.
It is on the news that the factional speaker of the troubled Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan Amachree is not pleased with the governor’s decision to anoint the national parliamentarian, Dakuku Peterside against the popular choice of senator Magnus Abe and Engr. Tele Ikuru who would have not only constitute challenges to the PDP but also make for several humiliation he had received for protecting the image of his party.
In furtherance to that, the Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Leyii Kwanee was also quoted to have said the “Ogonis cannot afford to be second fiddle at this time regardless of the political permutations in the party. Who can interpret that?
The question is if Ogonis are not given the top most job in the state, how are they not playing second fiddle, when they, going by the structure of APC are ruled out of 2015?
If at all Dakuku Peterside emerges Rivers governor which the possibility is not only doubtful but very slim, the Ogonis cannot be deputy governor, speaker of the Assembly or Secretary to the state government but if any of these happens, the truth is that Ogonis are second fiddle as against its claims.
Ogoni, is an upland ethnic nationality if that would be an appropriate word, but it is situated in the Rivers South East Senatorial District which cannot under any guise produce the governor as well as Speaker, Secretary or deputy governor. Is this not clear that Ogonis are out of 2015 APC consideration?
That, if need be is to corroborate the stands of MOSOP President, Pyagbara and another Ogoni leader, Lekara Nwiyee that Governor Amaechi has betrayed Ogoni people, having led them to believe that they would be given the governorship ticket.
According to Lekara “The Ogonis are founding members of Rivers State but we have not been opportune to produce either the Speaker, Deputy Governor or Governor, unlike the Andonis and Ikwerres who had produced the governor twice”. “We see the endorsement of Peterside by the Governor as a great betrayal because he has been using one of the Ogoni Sons, Senator Magnus Abe, as shield to defend himself. The Governor has been sending Abe to confront every action that could take somebody’s life. These included the crisis generated over Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF) election and the crisis in the State House of Assembly. Magnus, took everything in because the Governor had promised the Ogonis the governorship ticket.
“On three occasions, the governor called for meetings with the Ogoni leaders where he told us what the Ikwerres did to get the governorship ticket. He also told us at the meetings that it is the turn of the Ogonis to rule the state. But you can see how he has betrayed us” Lekara told journalists on Monday.
Now, having listened to all the comments, signs, and body movement of the Ogonis since the endorsement of Hon. Dakuku Peterside, one would not only say its seemingly laughable but a very serious issue as Ogonis relies solely on governor Amaechi’s empty promises without analyzing the variables as well as non-variable situations. It is not gain saying the fact that the Ogonis are hurt, angry and are set for a show down, only time will tell.
The obvious either one likes it or not is that most of the imposed out gone 23 council chairmen by the governor never performed and no one question them but governorship election is a national election not organized by SIEC, so one should expect a difference and possible ex-change of baton.
Ogonis should have known that the governor would not fulfill his promises if they had not believed so much on themselves or simply being selfish.
This episode of Issues Abattoir does not intend to heat had on anyone, not even the Ogonis but to reveal some areas of grey concern as it affect several supporters of the struggle and neutral spectators of the dog-like play.
Because of this Ogonis self confidence they forgot to question if Governor Amaechi had completed the UNITY ROAD which he had earlier promised that the Andonis would drive into Ngo town, headquarters of Andoni in December, 2013?
Secondly, Ogonis would have asked Governor Amaechi, if zoning or respect for other ethnic nationality or senatorial District was that crucial to his administration as he claimed to be doing justice to all, why is other ethnic groups in Port Harcourt City Council, especially the Wakrikese and Kalabaris not chairing or heading the care taker administration particularly during the current caretaker administrations, not to mention the statutory elective 3 years tenure?
Thirdly, Ogonis would have questioned the integrity of the governor on why he never ceeded his governorship quest and position to other groups in the state acknowledging that Dr. Peter Odili was from the upland?
While the Ogonis sing in discordant tunes on her failure to clinch the governorship ticket in the APC, what lies ahead of the Ogonis and other sympathizers as well as other groups in the state is to build., bridges across all ethnic divides to enhance formidable relationship in moving the nation forward.
Ogonis in United State are in full support of the choice of Peterside, accusing serving Ogoni politicians for not attracting development to the area than Peterside.
Issues Abattoir therefore suggest that since the APC has betrayed Ogonis aspiration, one cardinal step for the Ogonis is either to return back to their original base the PDP, Spiritually or Physically, if they would not miss out in 2015 completely.
Conclusively, the Ogonis and other stake holders in Nigeria polity should leave to bridle their tongues, think how to work with other political parties or completely boycott the 2015 elections since no political party has chosen its candidate from Ogoni land.
It would be recalled that the Ogonis had said they would not vote for or work with any political party that refuses an Ogoni candidate. Issues Abattoir wishes all its readers a blissful Christmas celebration in advance. ###
With James Mgboineme
Jamesprojectgodwin@yahoo.com.
