It is getting certain that the governorship ticket in the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of 2019 could tear the party into two factions. This is because the home base of one of the strong contenders in 2015, Magnus Abe, has shrugged off pressure against open declaration to make public call for their son to step out.
The names behind the open call indicate that the leaders of the party in Ogoni do not hide any longer from their positions, for and against Abe, a serving senator who fought for two years to regain his mandate during the many reruns from 2015 to 2017 including many court cases.
Abe a former information boss in Rivers and Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s long term political associate fought hard to be picked by the APC caucus in 2014 for 2015, but lost out to Dakuku Peterside, who eventually lost to Nyesom Wike of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The party leader was believed to ensure that Abe returned to the senate while Peterside settled for NIMASA, awaiting 2019. Many felt that Amaechi was tilting toward Peterside again or other top riverine figures and Abe seemed uncomfortable. Efforts to paper the cracks seemed to fail until factions developed at a time they faced a formidable opponent in Wike, sitting in the Brick House.
As if to show that the factions have come to stay toward 2019 and that the APC would have to do battle with itself before facing the PDP, the Ogoni APC stakeholders (Khana chapter) held an all-embracing meeting in Bori, the traditional headquarters of the people of Ogoniland to ask Abe to step forth.
A statement after the crucial meeting signed by 12 top leaders from Khana said it was to, among other issues, discuss the future of the political and economic interest of Rivers people from the perspective of the Khana people.
“As partners, populous in electoral capacity, but absent in representative leadership, we are appealing to all our neighbours in Rivers State to join us collectively as we ask that an Ogoni son be considered for governorship of Rivers State in 2019,” the stakeholders said.
The statement said the position became more important based on the following: “Ogonis have not held such offices as chief judge, speaker, deputy governor, and governor of this state. Ogonis are one of the most populated ethnic groups in the state from the south-east senatorial district who are yet to produce a governor since the creation of Rivers State.”
The Khana meeting said it therefore, resolved that an Ogoni son be given the opportunity for governorship of the party (APC) in 2019 and that Abe, an Ogoni son, should present himself in this capacity.
The group also said the Khana meeting appreciated the fact that there were numerous Ogoni sons and daughters who were eminently qualified, but that the political investments of the senator communicated a competitive edge that made his marketability more appealing. “The Khana meeting strongly urges the State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC to strive for independence, impartiality, and inclusiveness, if the Party must come out of the present low morale of members”.
Accordingly, the Khana meeting called on him (Abe) to present himself for the 2019 gubernatorial election in Rivers State using the platform of the APC, saying he clearly has the support and approval of majority of the Khana people.
The position seemed to have shaken the leadership structure in Ogoni as leaders who had worked together for decades have found themselves thrown apart in different factions for or against Abe, and same for and against Amaechi, transport minister and leader of the APC in the region. This position in favour of Abe was said to be backed by the likes Austine Nwakoh- an elder of the state, Friday N. Nke-ee, Sunny Smith Nwiyor and Legborsi Nwidadah.
Source: BusinessDayOnline
