2015: Ogoni Monarchs Insist On Governorship Position

First class traditional rulers in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State have resolved that the people of Ogoni Ethnic Nationality should be allowed to produce a successor to Governor Chibuike Amaechi come 2015.

The traditional rulers, which include, the Gbenemene of Nyo-Khana Kingdom, King Williams Nzidee, King Melford Eguru of Ken-Khana, and King Monday Noryaa of Babbe, said, the people will not accept any position less than governorship.

They spoke separately when the Ogoni Democratic Movement (ODM), a non-governmental organization, campaigning for the emergence of a governor of Ogoni extraction in 2015, led by its President-General, Godwin Bazari visited them in their respective Kingdom.

Speaking in his palace, King Nzidee said, the decision that the people of Ogoni Ethnic Nationality will produce the governor of Rivers State in 2015 was reached during the tenure of former Governor Peter Odili, adding that nothing will stop an Ogoni from emerging as the next governor of the state.

He said, “We agreed that after the tenures of Dr. Peter Odili and Chibuike Amaechi, it will be the turn of Ogonis'. So, where are the noise coming from? There is nothing they can do to stop the Ogoni train. The gods of Ogoni land will join us to get that achieved.”

On his part, the Gbenemene Ken-Khana, King Eguru, appealed to other ethnic groups in the state, to support the agitation by his people to produce the next governor, pointing out that Ogoni gave similar support to other groups when they needed it.

“We have been supporting our brothers; now, we are asking them to support us. It is time for an Ogoni to be governor of Rivers State. Now is our time and we are asking for their support.” He opined.

Also speaking, King Noryaa of Babbe Kingdom, said it will be an act of injustice for anyone to deny Ogonis the opportunity to produce governor of Rivers State in 2015, and urged the people to take positive steps toward achieving the project.

“This is not time for too much talk; it is time for action. Our people are already mobilised and are aware of this project. We want an Ogoni to be governor in 2015 and nobody should try to stop us”. He declared.

President-General of ODM, Hon. Godwin Bazari, had told the traditional rulers that members of the group, which is a non-partisan organization, were on a campaign for the emergence of an Ogoni as the governor of Rivers State, come 2015.

Signed:

HONOUR SIRAWOO
Secretary-General
May 19, 2014