A non-governmental group in Rivers State, the Ndoki Centre for Good Governance (NCFGG) has assured the people of Oyigbo Local Government Area of the readiness of a chairmanship aspirant under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Joe Dappa Opanwa, to be equipped enough to develop the area.
This is contained in a statement by the group after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Port-Harcourt and signed by its President, Dr. Wilberforce Ekeke; Secretary, Amb. Stephen Owulo; and Director of Media and Publicity, Comrade Gospel Ogbonna.
The group also vowed to ensure that Pastor Joe Opanwa unites the people that have been fractured by political marginalisation, under-development and lack of tangible transformation projects across the 27 communities that make up the LGA.
It stressed that Opanwa’s eight-point action plan makes room for the restoration Oyigbo back to the path of economic prosperity, peaceful co-existence, security stability and social order, while also ensuring food security, affordable healthcare delivery and constant power.
According to the group, in the statement, the energy crisis in the LGA will be critically looked into.
Assuring of its support, should Opanwa wins at the election on October 5, the group said given Opanwa’s disposition to the people of Oyigbo, the multitude of energetic and youthful Oyigbo population would be motivated to be more productive.
The body stated further that Opanwa’s leadership will lead to significant improvement in the performance of real sectors of the economy and greater boost to the Council’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Under Pastor Joe Dappa Opanwa as chairman, we are confident of victory because the masses are with us. So, we are driving our leadership mantra in agreement with the long-suffering Oyigbo people who are tired of fake promises that lead to nowhere.
“This is our chance and we know the people of Oyigbo will seize this moment by voting massively for Pastor Joe Dappa Opanwa as chairman for the future that we all desperately want”, the group said.
Meanwhile, the group has called on the Oyigbo leadership to emulate Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s governance style, belief and actions, shun selfish interests and focus on developing the economy for the benefit of the masses in the LGA.
It advised politicians to focus on the things that would bring development to the LGA, rather than promoting their selfish interests.
They also appealed to youths not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs or other negative vices in the 2024 Local Government elections in the state.
“Problems of electoral violence, vote buying and other inimical behaviors must be discarded in the coming polls.
“We urge Oyigbo and Rivers people to ignore flamboyant politicians. This is the time to choose leaders who possess some of the virtues of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s peaceful and transparent disposition in governance in terms of accountability, selfless services to the masses, integrity, simplicity, and trustworthiness.
“We also charge Oyigbo youths to shun politicians who seek to exploit them during the electioneering campaigns, while the children of such politicians are studying in foreign countries and enjoying themselves”, the grouped stated.

Bethel Toby