2015 Polls: Group Urges Unity Among Ogonis

A United States-based group known
as Ogonis in Diaspora Organization, (ODO), has canvassed peace and unity of
purpose as the only platform for actualizing the dream of producing a Governor
of Ogoni extraction in Rivers State in 2015.

Executive Director of the body,
Chief Ambrose Kii who spoke with The Tide in an interview in Port Harcourt,
said the organization which has its base in Chicago City, illinios State, has
commenced consultation with Ogoni stakeholders on how to bring out a credible
and more acceptable candidate from ogoni in 2015.

He said Ogoni has contributed
immensely to the development of Rivers State, and pointed out that the chances
of winning the governorship of Rivers State in 2015 depended on their
collective sense of political will and unity of purpose.

The executive director commended
the recent Ogoni delegation to Abuja, led by Senator Magnus Abe and called on
the Federal Government to respond to the demands of the Ogoni, especially the
creation of Bori State and strict implementation of the UNEP report.

This, he said, will restore the
confidence of the people in the polity and enthrone justice in the country.

The body faulted the Nigeria
federal structure and canvassed true federalism where the component units of
the country will enjoy relative autonomy and pay royalties to the Federal
Government.

The body also called for civic
education and proper sensitization of Nigerians to enable them drop their
“aparthy and participate directly in the process of governance”.

Local co-ordinator of the body,
Wisdom Mene, also pointed out that the objective of the body was to bridge the
gap between Ogonis at home and the Diaspora, and sensitize the people on
critical issues of development as a people. He said the group has already
concluded plans to organize peace campaign in Ogoni land this December.

Taneh Beemene