2015: ‘Kalabari ’ll Not Compromise Rivers Governorship’

The umbrella body of all
political groups in Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State, Kalabari Enebate says, Kalabari’s governorship agenda would not be compromised with any political party or politician come 2015 elections.
The chairman of the group, Chief Festus A. Igbiki Alabo told The Tide in an interview in Port Harcourt that the decision not to compromise the Kalabari project was reached at a meeting of all the political groups in Kalabari Kingdom.
According to him, Kalabari people were ready to resist any political maneuvering to deny the Kalabari the next governorship seat in the state.
He also unfolded the group’s plan to conduct in-house screening for all aspirants into various elective positions to enable the group present credible and God-fearing candidates to the electorate.
Chief Alabo called on the rest of the Rivers people, especially the upland people to support the Kalabaris for the 2015 governorship election in the state, saying Kalabaris have been supporting other ethnic groups with their numerical strength and resources without ethnic bias.
He recalled that, late Marshal Harry in 1999 supported former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili against his brother, Ebenezer Isiokariari without ethnic colouration.
He also recalled that, late Harry died in the struggle to make an Ikwerre person, Chief Sergeant Awuse governor in 2003, adding that such heroic gesture needed to be extended to the Kalabaris by other ethnic nationalities in the state in 2015.
Chief Alabo also called for support to President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election next year, hoping that President Jonathan as a son of Niger Delta and South-South would get the total support of his people, despite the grievances against him.
The Kalabari chief also called on politicians to shun politics of acrimony and violence, as well as guide their utterances against their political opponents.

Enoch Epelle

Cross section of participants at the South-South Zonal rally organised by Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria in Port Harcourt recently. Photo: NAN