2015 Guber: Group Canvasses Support For Rivers East …EDPA Plans 50,000-Man Unity Rally

As the struggle for who occupies the “Brick House” in Rivers Sate come 2015 gathers momentum, a socio-political group: “Rivers South-East Renaissance Movement” has intensified strategies for the people of Rivers South-East Senatorial District to secure the governorship slot.
A statement yesterday signed by its Project Coordinator, Barr Dornu Barida Nwinang,  indicated that Rivers South-East Renaissance Movement, which is also a pressure group, has been in the forefront of the campaign for the governorship of Rivers State to be conceded to the senatorial district.
Nwinang said that the group will ensure that Rivers South-East Senatorial District, comprising seven local government areas of Andoni, Eleme, Gokana, Khana, Opobo/Nkoro, Oyigbo and Tai, is the only senatorial district in Rivers State that has not enjoyed the benefit of producing governor since the creation of the State in 1967.
According to the group, it is on this premise that it, as part of concrete effort towards realizing this “noble dream” is staging a 10,000-Man Road Show with the theme: “Our United Rivers: The Many Parts For Sustainable Growth”.
It said that the 10,000-Man Road Show is one of the organization’s many programmes, earmarked to demand for equitable and fair power sharing amongst the three senatorial districts in the oil-rich Rivers State.
According to the organizers, well over 10 cultural groups have volunteered to perform during the Road Show, billed to hold in October, 2014.
He said that solidarity messages from other socio-political groups that share the same aspirations with Rivers South-East Renaissance Movement will be part of the campaign show.
Already, Nwinang noted that “no fewer than five of such groups from Rivers East and Rivers West senatorial districts have indicated what can be described as courageous interest to align with the agitation of the people of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
“The 10,000-man show will attract erudite and motivational speakers from across the state, who will publicly identify with the belief of the organization in the unity and progress of Rivers State.”
The group disclosed that after several advocacy visits by its members to first class chiefs, the elite, opinion leaders and relevant organizations, it has secured about 50,000 signatories from well-meaning and right thinking personalities across the state in support of its yearnings.
In response to this massive support, the group indicated that it will soon open an online portal to collate more signatories and solidarity messages for the fair and justifiable course of the people of Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
Meanwhile, over 20 youth and other groups affiliated to the Eastern Delta Peoples Association (EDPA) have canvassed support for candidates from the riverine areas for governor in Rivers State come 2015.
The youths spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, during the inauguration of the students and youth wing of the association.
EDPA is the umbrella socio-political organisation of Rivers Ijaw communities spread across 10 local government areas of Rivers State.
The spokesperson for the youth group, Adonis Pepple, recalled that the people of the riverine part of Rivers State have played second fiddle in the affairs of the state for too long.
”We are concerned that the Rivers Ijaws have been pushed out for too long in the state. On 2015 polls, we have resolved to support a Rivers Ijaw candidate. We therefore encourage all men of goodwill, lovers of justice, equity and unity to stand up for the truth. The vote of the people of Rivers State is not for sale.
”We have charged ourselves with the responsibility of ensuring one on one voters’ education as well as ensured that our people are mobilised for the electoral process as we seek the support of others to produce the next governor of Rivers State come 2015, by the special grace of God.”
“The EDPA, our parent body, is the umbrella socio-political organisation of Rivers Ijaw communities spread across ten LGAs of Rivers State.

Chris Oluoh

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru, sandwiched in the middle by APC supporters during a rally at Ikuru Town, in Andoni Local Government Area, at the weekend.