The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Amaopusenibo Siminialayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu have continued to enjoy the spotlight following the flag-off of the party’s campaign ahead of the 2023 general elections in the state.
The duo was unveiled to Rivers people in a colourful ceremony which held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta on Saturday.
The 40,000-seater stadium was filled to capacity as the various local government area chapters of the PDP dressed in their colours for the epochal event. It was a carnival of a sort as the teeming supporters sang and danced in procession.
Different support groups were present at the stadium to have first hand feel of the campaign flag-off. One of the groups, known as the Opobo Elder Statesmen 4 Sim came in their numbers to lend support to the actualization of the Sim/Ngozi governorship quest.
The group which dedicated time in the past months to sensitize Opobians on the collection of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC), affirmed that the candidacy of Fubara is very special to them, as his victory in next year general election is, in their words, a mission that must be accomplished.
But the group which consists of the Alapu in Opobo Kingdom, elders, opinion molders, and some eminent professionals in the ancient island, said they were not yet done, as they would continue to support the project to the best of their abilities, and ensure that the dream of Rivers people and Opobians in particular, comes to fruition.
“And so, today, we stormed this 40,000-seater facility in our numbers, to lend our support. We join the rest of Rivers people, to once more make a statement that our support is total and unambiguous.
“God is with Opobo Kingdom and Rivers State at large, and by His special grace, Sim Fubara would make it to the Brick House come May, 2023”, said an elated Chairman of the Opobo Elder Statesmen 4 Sim, Alabo Edwin Cockeye Brown, while addressing journalists during the event.
He gave kudos to Governor Nyesom Wike for successfully piloting the ship of state and even exceeding all promises made to Rivers people through massive infrastructural and other sectoral developments.
The Chairman also commended the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) for job well done in driving the political process on the path of productivity.
Attired in their traditional blue etibo dress and hat, with mufflers across the shoulders, Alabo Brown, who heads the Cockeye Brown War Canoe House of Opobo kingdom, said the massive gathering at the stadium is a testimony of Sim’s popularity in the state.
“We are doing everything to support our son. He is the best among all the candidates. He is reliable, and being the good civil servant that he is, you can be rest assured that civil servants in the state will be the biggest winners if Sim wins”, he said.
The elated Statesmen spoke one after the other. According to Alabo (Dr) Justus Captain Uranta, while x-raying the chances of Sim in realization of his quest, added that with the full backing of the governor, coupled with the fact that by his estimation, over 90% of Rivers people loves the candidate, his chances of victory are very bright.
To Alabo Prince Charles Douglas Mac-Pepple Jaja, the candidacy of Sir Sim Fubara is fascinating, not just to Opobians but to the greater people of the state as shown in the event.
“Sim simply put, is a simplified personality. There’s no better way to describe him. And for him to be chosen by his party, I believe he is humble and more simplified than we know”, Jaja said.
In the same manner, the trio of Alabo (Pastor) Chamberlain Dodd Peterside, Senibo (Dr) Donald Brown and Alabo Samuel Daniel Annie Stewart described the event as unprecedented, adding that it only takes a man with the ‘oil of God on his head’, to pull such mammoth crowd for his unveiling to Rivers people.
The statesmen further added that history would be smiling for Opobo Kingdom this time around, haven’t missed it eight years ago when one of their sons took a shot at the governorship.
Some side attractions witnessed at the PDP campaign flag-off, courtesy of the Opobians, include traditional cultural displays by Ogelemkpa Cultural Society, Ofo-na-Ogu Cultural Movement and Uwabunkonye Cultural Dance.
National Network gathered that one of the gigantic balloons that dotted the skies around the main bowl of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Omagwa and catching the attention of the crowd at the complex was donated by the Opobo Elder Statesmen 4 Sim, a gesture of support.
The balloons came in different shapes and sizes, and boldly inscribed on them are complements, welcoming what has now become the G5 Governors to the unveiling of Sim Fubara and Ngozi Odu, Saturday, November 19, 2022.
The wind aided objects drew special attention as they could be sighted kilometers away from the stadium.
