Ahead of the 2023 Governorship Polls in Rivers State, foremost social and cultural organization in Ogoni ethnic nationality in Rivers State, KAGOTE, has urged the two major political parties to give consideration to qualified Ogoni sons and daughters to contest for the Governorship position.
President of the organization, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwiika Deeyah, who made call in a Press Statement said the move will enhance equity and political justice in the state as Ogoni was yet to produce a Governor in Rivers State despite her huge contributions to the economic and political development of the State and by extension the Niger Delta.
Reacting to a recent statement by the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi in a viral video in which the Minister foreclosed the chances of qualified and interested aspirants from the upland area of the State including the Ogoni from contesting the Governorship seat come 2023 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), the KAGOTE President said the position of the Minister was vexatious, premature, undemocratic and not in the interest of political justice.
“It will be best and more suitable if a level playing field is provided for all aspirants and their fate decided at the party primaries rather than this outright blanket decree banning them from the contest”, the KAGOTE President declared.
The statement pointed out that Ogoni was yet to produce sensitive political leadership such as Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker of the State House of Assembly and Chief Judge of the State, since the creation of River State 54 years ago.
Ogoni, as an Ethnic Nationality in Rivers State, the statement added, was at the forefront for the quest for creation of Rivers State alongside other ethnic nationalities in the State and should be given the opportunity to contest the Governorship of the State in a fair contest in party primaries without being denied their rights of participation.
