…As Elder Statesmen Sustain Campaign For PVC Collection
The body of women in Opobo kingdom, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, has declared that the candidacy of Sir Siminialayi Fubara as flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is God’s gift for Opobo kingdom.
Under the aegis of Opobo Women Welfare Association (OWWA), the women said they are overjoyed that Fubara’s candidacy has continued to enjoy the support of not just Opobians but the rest of Rivers people.
Speaking while receiving the Opobo Elder Statesmen 4 Sim during the women Kubri for Jaja Polo in Opobo Town on Thursday, President of OWWA, Amaopu Orubo Felicia Pepple said the prospect of having an Opobo son to succeed Governor Nyesom Wike in 2023 would be dream come true.
She said it was for this reason that all hands must be on deck, men, women and the youths, to pray fervently for God to make it real in 2023.
Her words, “God has used our Elder Statesmen to spur Opobians into action. We are collecting our PVCs in droves, and we are intensifying our prayers and fasting, waiting to cast our votes come next year”, she said.
The OWWA leader said the aggressive sensitization by the Opobo Elder Statesmen 4 SIM has awakened their conciousness to the fact that the PVC is their power.
In his charge to the women, the Chairman of the Opobo Elder Statesmen 4 SIM, Alabo Edwin Cockeye Brown, said the visit was part of series of PVC Collection Sensitization campaign for women in the 14 Polos in Opobo, and thanked the Saturday Jaja War Canoe House for successful hosting of the women who also had in their midst, the wife of the Amanyanabo of Opobo, Queen Prudence Douglas Dandeson Jaja.
Alabo Edwin Cockeye Brown disclosed that the elder Statesmen would, in the next phase of the exercise, embark on Door to Door as well as Compound to Compound visits in Opobo/Nkoro LGA.
He said the campaign has been very productive as Opobo women are now more enthusiastic about the PVC collection, than ever before.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Patrons of Opobo Elder Statesmen 4 SIM and Head of the Saturday Jaja War Canoe House of Opobo, Alabo Reuben Saturday Jaja urged those women who are yet to pick their PVCs to do so as appreciation to Governor Wike and members of the PDP who deemed it fit to give their guber ticket to a worthy Opobo son.
“We are very excited and we give great thanks to Governor Nyesom Wike who, with the PDP, saw it fit to pick our son to carry the ticket of the PDP”, he said, adding, “Our women should therefore get their PVCs, keep them safe and be ready to use them on election day, and make history by electing our son, Amaopusenibo Siminialayi Fubara as Governor and Prof. Ngozi Odu as his Deputy”.
Vice Chairman of Opobo Elder Statesmen 4 Sim, Alabo Godwin Bupo, who spoke to journalists during the women’s Kubiri at the Jaja Polo, said it provided a great platform and opportunity to sensitize the women, obtain and use their PVCs wisely.
“We told them not only to secure their PVC but to make good use of it when the time comes. We have achieved that in the sense that all the women that were present agreed with us that they are ready to make use of this opportunity that has been given to us in Opobo”
“We want to turn in a 100% vote when the time comes. It means a lot to all of us and that’s why we are taking it this serious. We’ve gone round to speak to our women.
“We will make sure that all family meetings are attended and make sure we realize what God has done for us with this wonderful opportunity”, he said.
Bupo urged the women not to relent in their prayers and ensure not to be distracted with farming, trading or fishing on day of voting.
“You can’t have PVC and then you don’t come out to vote. Now having said that the next thing is to understand that women are a prayerful group. In their nature, they are close to godliness”, he said..
On his part, Alabo Dodd Peterside who also addressed the women, counseled them on the need for peace in the face of provocation.
“Preserving our PVC and using it to elect our son as governor should be paramount. So, on that day we should be vigilant and monitor the election from the beginning to the end of it. In fact, they should shine their eyes”, he said.
In his brief admonition at the event, Amaopu Adagogo Cockeye Brown urged the women to preserve their PVCs, noting that the essence of having the cards would be defeated if they do not come out and participate on voting day.
“We have a project, and it is to ensure that our son Amaopusenibo Sim Fubara, who is God’s will for Opobo people, should win”, he said.
Amaopu Cockeye Brown who described Opobo people are highly intellectual, urged the women to emulate the Opobo Elder Statesmen 4 Sim and unite in one purpose, which is to deliver the PDP standard bearer.
“You know that charity begins at home, and so, let us understand that our brother, Amaopusenibo Sim Fubara has the mandate and support of the entire Opobo Kingdom, and by extension, Opobo Nkoro Local Government Area”, he said.
The Saturday Jaja women Kubiri was graced by some Alapu, titled citizens, Seniapu and Opobo women at home and the Diasporas.
