By: Felix Ikpotor
The apex-Ogoni socio-cultural organization, KAGOTE, has stated that it won’t endorse any candidate or party in the forthcoming general elections in Rivers State, but would rather be a rallying ground for candidates seeking elective positions.
President of KAGOTE, Emma Deeyah stated this at the first general assembly meeting of the body held in Gwara, Khana LGA.
He said under his watch, the body will remain apolitical.
The former federal lawmaker while congratulating indigenes of the area who emerged candidates of their various parties, called for unity among the people in confronting the challenges facing them.
He also called on the people to open their doors for people from other ethnic groups that want to come to Ogoni for campaign.
His words: “Finally, as we all, are aware, the political season is here, as such jostling for key political offices have started. On this note I will like to congratulate our sons and daughters who won elections at the various party primaries to contest for various offices in the general election come 2023. I will further advise that they all, should play by the rules and avoid overheating our polity. “Violence doesn’t help anyone, rather it is a deterrent of development. We should also open our doors to non-Ogonis to campaign freely on our land as our sons and daughters may also do so in other places”.
“I will like to pledge to all of you here today and the vast majority of our people who are not present at this meeting, that under my watch as president we shall steer KAGOTE away from partisanship. We do not plan for now or in the near future to endorse or campaign for any particular candidate for any office, rather make KAGOTE the rallying point of all Ogoni people irrespective of political, religious or cultural affiliation. We believe this is one of the reasons for the springing up of other groups jostling for recognition and space in the leadership of Ogoni”.
“We need to unite as a people to confront the challenges besetting us. You all must remember that the issues confronting us do not have partisan political colouration. “Everyone should feel free to hold his/her political philosophy or ideology but remember that Ogoni is greater than all these. I will therefore appeal and strongly too, that we should endeavour to sink our political differences when the need arises to discuss or solve issues common to us as a people”.
