By: Felix Ikpotor
With 2023 still far away, the Ogoni ethnic nationality in Rivers State has lamented political marginalisation, urging the two major parties, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the All Progressives Congress (APC), to consider qualified Ogoni sons and daughters to contest for the governorship position in their parties.
The apex socio-cultural organisation in Ogoni, KAGOTE, said for the sake of political equity, the Ogoni people should be granted a chance this time.
President of KAGOTE, Honourable Emmanuel Deeyah, in a statement by the Acting Publicity Secretary of the organization, Mr. Obele Chu, noted that the move would enhance equity and political justice in favour of Ogoni.
Deeyah was reacting to a recent comment by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, which called on Rivers people to come together and work for a riverine governor in 2023.
The Ogoni leader said the statement was vexatious, premature, undemocratic, and not in the interest of political justice.
Deeyah emphasised that since the creation of the state, Ogoni has not produced a governor despite its huge contributions to the economic and political development of the country at large.
He said: “It will be best and more suitable if a level playing field is provided for all aspirants and their fate decided at the party primaries rather than this outright blanket decree banning them from the contest.
“Ogoni is yet to produce sensitive political leadership such as governor, deputy governor, speaker of the state, since the creation of Rivers State 54 years ago.
“Ogoni, as an ethnic nationality in the state was at the forefront of agitation for the creation of Rivers State, alongside other ethnic nationalities and should be given the opportunity to contest the governorship in a fair contest in party primaries without being denied their rights of participation.”
