By: Felix Ikpotor
As politicking towards the 2023 general elections gradually takes shape, especially here in Rivers State, the traditional institution in Tai local government area has called on ethnic groups in the state especially the Ikwerres to support an Ogoniman to be governor.
Gbenemene Tai Kingdom, His Majesty, King Godwin Gininwa who spoke in his palace in Kokoro, when the State Executive Council of the Rivers Voice of Freedom (RVF) paid him a courtesy visit said he would prefer Rivers people give the Ogonis a chance.
RVF is a socio-political pressure group in the Rivers State All Progressives Congress ( APC) loyal to Senator Magnus Ngei Abe.
Gininwa who is the President, Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers said Ogonis have been friends with and had supported the Ikwerres for such a long time and as such deserves their support to produce the next governor of the state.
He said: “I would have preferred that Rivers people should choose Abe,” he said.
Continuing, the monarch said, ” I will appeal to the APC to resolve whatever problem they are having. If they loose the likes of Abe, they are loosing alot. I am behind him as a son of Ogoni ethnic nationality”.
Going down memory lane, the monarch said : ” Ikwerres and Ogonis are one. I supported the likes of Obi Wali, Aguma, Wonodi and others during their time in Rivers politics. We were all fighting for justice and equity. We are the best brothers of the Ikwerres. We suffered together in Rivers State and as such should enjoy together”.
Speaking further he called for peace amongst the political class and youths in the state.
He added: “We want peace in the state, we can’t allow crisis to spoil the good things that are coming”.
Gininwa advised youths of the state to love themselves and to demand for good governance.
The first class monarch advised leaders to carry their followers along when they climb up to the apex of leadership.
Earlier, President-General of RVF, Comrade Dominic Dumekpigi said the group is out to fight injustice and oppressive tendencies in the political space of Rivers State.
He noted that the situation of 2019, where some leaders and youths of the state were denied the chance to exercise their rights politically gave rise to the formation of the group.
Dumekpigi also used the medium to intimate the king that the group was in Tai to formally inaugurate its LGA chapter.
