The Ogonis comprising four local government areas in Rivers State yesterday pledged their unflinching support to the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi led administration. They made public their stand during a solidarity visit to the governor at Government House, Port Harcourt. They were led by Chairman of Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council and Ogoni Traditional Rulers Council, King Godwin Giniwa.
Chief Giniwa who made the introductory speech before handing over to Justice Peter Akere (rtd) who read the address of the group said the visit was to pledge support to the governor and thank him for all he had done for the Ogoni people, and his outstanding achievements after his second term elections.
Justice Akere had in the address commended the governor for the appointment of Ogoni sons and daughters into sensitive government positions, noting that so far, the governor had not sidelined them in governance.
Against this backdrop coupled with the numerous projects sited in Ogoni land, Justice Akere declared, “we have therefore come to re-iterate that the Ogoni Ethnic Nationalities have resolved to support and stand by Your Excellency in your pursuit to bring development to Rivers State and Ogoni and resist all attempts to short-change the people of Rivers State and Ogoni.’’
According to the Ogoni spokesman, the mandate given to Governor Amaechi in 2011 elections is “ uncontestable, incontrovertible and irrevocable’’ adding that, “ it is for this reason that Ogoni Ethnic Nationalities are awakened by current developments in the polity of this nation to challenge the efficacy and sustainability of the mandate of people of Rivers State and resist all attempts to short-change the people of Rivers State and Ogoni.’’
In a related development, King Mene-Suanu Baridam has commended the Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi for development projects in Ogoniland. King Baridam made the commendation in Port Harcourt on Monday while briefing newsmen.
Baridam, who is also the Gbenemene Bagha VII of Bagha in Khana Local Government Area, said that Ogoni people were to visit the governor to thank him for completing some projects in their communities.
He said that the projects, which he did not mention, had positively impacted on the well being of the Ogoni people and appealed to Amaechi to complete some abandoned projects in Ogoniland.
“We, the Ogonis, will like the governor to help us and complete the road construction on Sapewa road,’’ the ruler said.
Source: OgoniNews
