The Rivers State Chief Executive, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has urged the Ogoni Ethnic Nationality to forget their past, come together and unite against common enemies, adding that they have sacrificed enough in the Nigerian project to play a second fiddle.
He was speaking at Bori on Saturday, May 15, 2021 during a grand reception in his honour.
While appreciating them for the honour done him, Wike confessed that the Ogonis are reliable and trusted people who have actually contributed much in his political career.
Speaking further, the elated Governor Wike disclosed that the Chairman, Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, King G.N.K. Gininwa, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom said by the coronation, he now has power to speak and decide for Ogoni people.
Gov Wike assured that he would decide and say what is right for the Ogoni people at all times.
On who will succeed him in 2023, Gov Wike said he would not promise them on the issue but that no one person has the right to nominate/appoint anybody or which area to produce the candidate as according to him “it would be a joint decision.
All the stakeholders will come together, discuss the matter and agree amicably when the time comes”, he declared.
The governor particularly urged Ogoni politicians to forget their differences irrespective of their party leanings and work together in the interest of their people, adding that no person is an island. Gov Wike made it clear to them that in politics there is no permanent friend or enemy but permanent interest. He was particularly happy for the surprise appearance of Senator Magnus Abe at the venue to identify with his people, despite belonging to the opposition APC party.
He also used the opportunity to task the stakeholders to unite and fight insecurity in the area especially cultism as according to him, peace is panacea to development. He equally reiterated his charge to the in-coming local council chairmen to use the opportunity given them now as a spring board that would catapult them in their political career by listening to their people and working hard to leave worthy legacies they will be remembered with, adding that what is in vogue now is “operation show your report card”.
The governor equally emphasized on the need for the council chairmen to reside within their area for constant consultations.
He made it known that the 23 Local Government Areas of the state have benefitted from his administration especially on roads and infrastructural development and urged for their continuous support for more.
He equally used the opportunity to reel out some of the completed projects ready for commissioning very soon and others slated for inauguration, including the Oyigbo-Obete road.
Wike also used the chance to extract promises from the cheering crowd to shun what he called the deceit and lies of the All Progressives Congress Opposition party when they come calling again especially on the Ogoni cleanup exercise and other failed campaign promises which he noted has become a smoke screen.
Gov Wike also used the opportunity to reiterate the decision of the South-South Governors of Nigeria recently to implement the ban on the Open Grazing, restructuring of the country and resource control amongst others.
“I will implement all the decisions we reached at the meeting if nobody does, in the interest of our country”, he declared.
Earlier in his welcome address, President of the Pan-Ogoni group KAGOTE, Rt. Hon Emmanuel Deeyah, said the massive turnout of his people for the event is a testimony of their love and support for the Wike administration and assured the governor that “contrary to certain perception Ogoni people are very united and focused than ever before in their support for his leadership. While thanking the governor for all that he has done for the Ogonis especially the construction of the Saekpenwa-Bori-Kono dual carriage way, they urged the governor to link them with power from the nearby Afam power plant in Oyigbo.
KAGOTE also appealed to the governor to help in the renovation of some dilapidated schools in the area.
They also promised to partner with the Wike administration to eradicate all forms of criminality and cultism in Ogoniland even as they appreciate the governor’s proactive measures to safeguard Rivers people and residents.
The gathering had almost all the Ogoni stakeholders in attendance including four former senators from the area.
In their goodwill messages each and everyone of them who spoke paid glowing tributes to their founding fathers and appreciated governor Wike for all his support and the confidence reposed in them.
Distinguished Senator Bennet Birabi who was chairman of the occasion thanked the governor for uniting the Ogoni people again through his excellent performance, appointment of their people in positions of trust as well as his intervention when enemies came against Ms. Joy Nunieh of the NDDC.
Distinguished Senator Barry Mpigi stated that the day was a remarkable one for the Ogoni Ethnic Nationality. He thanked the governor for all the projects he scattered across the four (4) LGA’s of Ogoni, confessing that he was one of those people who doubted his capacity and actually joined forces to fight him.
Distinguished Senator Lee Maeba said the governor is a warrior indeed who has the interest of Rivers people at heart. He said Wike has completely demolished the cheap politics of Upland/Riverine dichotomy by his performance which his noted not only across the state but throughout the country.
Hon. Monday Ngbor confirmed that the crowd at the venue is the greatest he has witnessed in his life of recent.
He appealed that Wike should be supported in the delivery of democracy. “The local government council chairmen too should work and be celebrated through this kind of crowd”.
Comrade Ledum Mitte, former President of MOSOP lamented that even throughout his days in the foremost Ogoni advocacy group, no administration has been able to keep their promises to them except Governor Wike administration.
While thanking him, Mitte urged his people to forget their differences and build a new united Ogoni from that point and ensure they leave worthy legacies to the next generation.
Distinguished Senator Magnus Abe whose appearance drew a loud ovation from the cheering crowd said the peace, unity and development of Ogoni should be the upper most focus of any stakeholder, stressing that politicians should be more interested in making more friends than enemies with their position and by so doing unite to attract development to their area.
He made it known that despite his political leaning, he couldn’t afford to be missing at such great gatherings of the Ogonis.
Various cultural dances displayed at the event including the famous “karikpo” jumping masquerades.
Highlights of the event was the coronation of Governor Wike with the title of Mene “Kwalenu” of Ogoniland (meaning one that does good things for his people) by the Ogoni Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers led by HRM Mene GNK Gininwa.
The State School One Field Bori, venue of the event was overcrowded with spectators who were surging to have a glimpse of the governor and his entourage.
