By Tayo Joseph, Lagos
In a massive show of support and endorsement, thousands of Ogoni trooped to Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday night, where they declared that Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike deserves a second term.
As the Ogoni people approached, the gates of the Rivers State Government House were thrown open. They overwhelmed the 2000-person capacity Banquet Hall and had to be moved to the Open Field of the Government House, where the governor addressed them.
The Ogoni supporters came all the way from Khana, Gokana, Eleme and Tai Local Government Areas of the state. They declared that they were impressed by the excellent performance of Governor Wike, especially his developmental projects in Ogoniland.
Addressing the Ogoni supporters, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike assured that his administration will enhance development in Ogoniland.
He said: “Be assured that I will implement all the projects I promised the people of Ogoni. I am overwhelmed by this show of support. This massive support is a show of your appreciation of what we have achieved.
“We will tackle issues of development on a local government by local government basis. In this wise, I will meet with each of the four local government areas that make up Ogoniland “.
The governor said that the dialogue with the different Ogoni local government areas will lead to the implementation of projects on the peculiarities of each council.
In an interview, Senator Lee Maeba stated that the Ogoni people will stand with Governor Wike up till 2023, because he has shown commitment to the development of the area.
Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Sir Kenneth Kobani said Ogoni people are grateful that the Wike administration has lived up to their expectations.
Former Commissioner of Finance, Dr Fred Kpakol embarked on the Solidarity Visit to show that they are totally in support of Governor Wike.
He said: “Just to show that we are totally committed to Governor Wike with an undiluted support. We just want to show that we are massively behind him. We will sustain the support to check what happened in the past elections when we voted massively for the PDP and by the use of the gun, they took away our victory. It will never happen again. This is a show of support for Governor Wike, that we are behind him come 2019”.
Also speaking, Former Commissioner of Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr John Bazia said the visit is a declaration that Ogoni is predominantly PDP.
“This to a large extent will prove to the world that the election that was rigged was not in the best interest of Ogoni people. This solidarity visit is a confirmation that Ogoni people have decided to be with Governor Wike “, Dr Bazia said.
An Ogoni Woman Leader, Chief Priscilla Bikwe said that the Ogoni people are for Governor Wike.
“We are for His Excellency, Governor Wike and we are always for him. We will forever be with him. This is a total decision. It will be replicated across Ogoniland “.
