Ogonis in Rivers State has vowed to protest if the given are not given a slot by political parties adopting consensus governorship candidates in the 2023 election in the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by factional President and Secretary-General of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Prince Biira and Festus Legbara respectively.
They also rejected any secondary status of a deputy governor, warning those canvassing for the position to desist from such, stressing that the Ogonis would not settle for any other office than governor.
Biira, who briefed journalists in Port Harcourt, said the Central Committee of MOSOP observed that Rivers South-East senatorial district has been grossly marginalised since the creation of the state in 1967.
“For the 55 years of the existence of the state, Ogoni has not occupied its proper place in terms of appropriate and adequate political representation in Rivers State, especially regarding holding the office of governor, deputy governor, speaker (House of Assembly) and chief judge.
“For over half a century of the existence of Rivers State, Ogoni had been supporting other communities in the state to achieve their political, social and economic dreams and desires; aware that citizens of these nationalities have occupied the office of governor, deputy governor, speaker (House of Assembly) and chief judge of the state.
“Out of the three senatorial districts in Rivers State, it is only Rivers South-East senatorial district, which accommodates Ogoni, that has not produced a governor of the state.”
The body commended and identified with five of Ogoni sons including senators Lee Maeba, Magnus Abe and Olaka Nwogu, and Gabriel Pidomson and Isaac Kamalu for courageously declaring their interest to join the gubernatorial race.
It, however, cautioned aspirants against being swayed by temptations, assuring them of its backing, urging indigenes to close ranks and concertedly with the sense of community for victory.
The group also maintained that only the political party that offers its platform for the actualisation of the Ogoni mandate would enjoy electoral goodness and benevolence of the senatorial district.
“That MOSOP will mobilise the Ogoni people to resist any political party and its collaborators that fail to respect our stance with the same vigour and relentlessness that we have adopted in our resistance against the state and its slick ally, the oil industry. That, enough is enough.”
