By: Felix Ikpotor
A group, the Ogoni People’s Assembly (OPA) has warned the Leader/Spokesperson of the Conscience of Ogoni People, COOP, Chief Gani Topba to desist from working against the Ogoni governorship bid in 2023.
The warning followed comments credited to Topba concerning the attack on the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the state, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe last Monday in Oyigbo local government area.
Topba who visited the area was quoted to have apologised to the people of Oyigbo on behalf of Senator Abe and the people of Ogoni.
Infuriated by the action, OPA in a statement issued by the Leader, Rev. Probel Williams, Deputy Leader, Engr. Nwinadum Wey and Secretary, Dr. Evidence Ep-aaBari warned Topba to desist from working against the ambition of the Ogonis to produce a governor in 2023 and from further making statements on behalf of the Ogoni nation as he does not have such capacity.
OPA said: “A man whose chiefdom, paternity and education are hazy, lacks the moral and locus standi to speak for Ogoni on propensities and issues at crossroads, safe his propensity to bark and live in his self illusion of leadership”.
The group threatened to open the cans of worm on Topba if he does not desist from working against Ogoni interest.
“Ogoni Peoples Assembly (OPA) therefore sends a note of warning to the lone ranger to stop his campaign of calumny against Ogoni gubernatorial ambition and seek help of a psychopathic specialist.
“Only God gives power through the instrumentality of state and popular mandate. His de-marketing of Ogoni for selfish gains has failed on arrival this time.
“OPA wants to put it on record that neither an Ogoni political jobber, airwave con-man nor portfolio activist without followership similar to unidentified flying object (UFO) can stampede any Ogoni of its ambitions or impede any Ogoni man whose time has come”.
It added: “If the elders will not tame and gag him from the airwaves, OPA will have no choice than to expose his shady deals in the guise of advocacy. Hope he is not forgetting in a hurry the cries of the innocent farmers at Kegbara Dere manifold and the blood stained ill-gotten money afterwards.
“We will not spare the cans of worm. Gani should stop speaking for Ogoni or be confined to the dark side of history where he belongs”.
The group expressed deep concern on the recent attack and threat to the lives of notable Ogoni leaders.
“OPA is equally concerned about the unprovoked attacks on its own, especially Senator Magnus Abe, Dr. Innocent Barikor and other Ogoni leaders from the government of Rivers State and rival political parties. Hope the country had not forgotten in a hurry the doggedness of Ogonis even in the face of tyranny. The Ogonis are an unconquerable stock able to withstand even the wasted military operations of the junta. Our neighbours and indeed hostile politicians should be weary of the repeat of 1990-1995. That period in our history is reminder that a United Ogoni is more potent frontally than barrels,” it said.
The group noted that although the Ogonis are friendly people, they shouldn’t be taken forgranted.
“We are good neighbours and those living around and amongst us must reciprocate same; he who needs friends must be friendly, we are never a people ever afraid to confront our challenges.
“The harbingers of political attacks, obnoxious orders and unprovoked attacks even on the special Ogoni areas of Oyigbo and Eleme should be warned”.
