2015: ODM Takes Ogoni Governorship Project To Grassroots

By OGONI DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT

Towards ensuring that Ogonis produce Governor of Rivers State come 2015, the Ogoni Democratic Movement (ODM) has taken its campaign to the grassroots with the inauguration of Local Government Chapters of the Movement across Ogoni Ethnic Nationality.

ODM, which consist of Eleme, Gokana, Khana and Tai Local Government Areas with the slogan “Ogoni for Governor” started the process with the inauguration of the Gokana Chapter at Kpor, Headquarters of Gokana Local Government Area.


Speaking at the event, President-General of ODM, Godwin Bazari, said the group assignment was anchored on awakening the spirit of Ogonis towards producing a successor to Governor Amaechi come 2015.

To strengthen the process, Bazari said, the group was embarking on door to door mobilization of Ogonis and other ethnic groups in the state to support the quest.

"Our assignment is to awaken the spirit of the people to realize the objective of an Ogoni Governor come 2015. We are here to mobilize our people from door to door for this project. We appeal to other ethnic groups in the state to support us this time, because we have served them well." He said.

Bazari denied insinuations that the people were not united, saying “the Ogonis are not divided, we have qualified and competent candidates that will take over Rivers Government House, come 2015”, adding that the people will not settle for less nor vote any party that failed to field an Ogoni as standard bearer.

In his speech, Chairman, Gokana local government council, Demua Ledee Demua who received ODM delegation on a courtesy call urged the Movement to work with the people to achieve the 2015 project; saying the council will continue to support moves that will benefit the people of Gokana and Ogonis in general.

In their separate speeches, the Bishop, Methodist Diocese of Gokana, Rt. Rev. Humphrey Nnam, said the Christian community in Ogoniland will back the Ogoni 2015 Governorship project, while the President, Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Legborsi Pyagbara, represented by Bari-ara Kpalap, said the pan-Ogoni organization was happy to have ODM on board, particularly, as it relates to the Ogoni governorship project.


The Coordinator, Ogoni Solidarity Forum (OSF), Celestine Akpobari; President, Ikwerre/Etche Peoples' Forum, Emma Amadi, Hon. Innocent Barikor of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the representative of Rivers Peoples' Congress, Innocent Ajaelu, in their separate solidarity messages pledged support for an Ogoni Governor come 2015.


Earlier, the President-General of ODM paid a courtesy call on the Gberemene, Gokana, King Barnabas Bagia, who appealed to Rivers people to support the agitation by the Ogonis to produce the next governor of the state.


Signed:

HONOUR SIRAWOO
Secretary-General
May 8, 2014