Politics
Rivers 2015: Ogonis, Etche, Ijaw Eye Governorship
As the 2015 general elec
tions draw nearer, political atmosphere is getting charged with many ethnic nationalities in Rivers State justling for the governorship of the state.
A pressure group in Ogoni land, Ogoni Democratic Movement (ODM) said at the weekend that the time was ripe for Ogonis to produce the next governor of the state.
Speaking during a courtesy visit on the president of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People in the United States of America (MOSOP-USA), Mr Dumka Baabel at Atlanta-Georgia, USA, the President-General of ODM, Hon Godwin Bazari noted that since the creation of Rivers State in 1967, no indigene of Ogoni has governed as the executive governor, deputy governor, or even the speaker of the State House of Assembly.
“We all know that since the creation of Rivers State in 1967, no Ogoni person has been given the opportunity to be the executive governor of the state, deputy governor, or even the speaker of the State House of Assembly. The political marginalization of Ogonis has continued and it is time to appeal to other ethnic groups in the state to support the project,” the ODM President-General said.
Responding, President of MOSOP-USA, Mr. Dumka Baabel welcomed the ODM’s vision, saying, “MOSOP USA supports the Project 2015, which is a pet project of MOSOP Nigeria. We will work to ensure that major political parties in Nigeria nominate an Ogoni as standard bearer in the 2015 Rivers Governorship election.”
Meanwhile, the people of Etche ethnic nationality under the aegis of Etche Peoples Liberation Congress (EPLC) has also canvassed for the zoning of the governorship to Etche.
Briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, recently, the congress said that the people of Etche would support any of their sons with governorship ambition in the state.
The leader of the group, Comrade Haphet Ogbueri, premised the group’s agitation on the contributions of the Etche ethnic nationality, comprising of Etche and Omuma Local Government Areas to the economy of the nation.
According to him, Etche has contributed over 300 billion dollars in more than 40 years of prolonged and uninterrupted oil exploration without commensurate development in terms of infrastructure, wealth creation and human empowerment.
“It is only Etche that has been discriminated against in federal appointments among contemporary oil producing ethnic groups.
“No Etche son or daughter has been captured in any of the 536 boards of ministries departments and agencies of federal government” he said.
In the same vein, the Ijaw Democratic Front (IDP) in Rivers State has called on the people of the state to support any person from Ijaw ethnic nationality as the next governor of the state.
Speaking through the coordinator of the group, Mr Robinson Kenneth in Port Harcourt, last week, the group noted that the Ijaw extraction which comprises Kalabari, Okrika, Andoni and other riverine ethnics nationalities has not produced a governor since the creation of the state.
Mr Kenneth called on the leadership of all political parties in the state to field Ijaw persons as their candidates for the forthcoming governorship election schedule for February, 28, saying the gesture would bring about unity equity and justice in the state.
L-R: Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Mr Taiwo Alimi and former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande at the Yoruba Assembly meeting on 2014 National Conference in Ibadan, last Thursday. Photo: NAN
Enoch Epelle & John Bibor
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.