The Ogoni Welfare Association (OWA), Lagos has thrown its weight behind any distinguished and patriotic son for Rivers State gubernatorial race for 2023.
In a statement recently issued in Lagos by the Executive Chairman of the body and the chairman Public Relations committee,Mr. ThankGod Meekor and Chief Nkpemenyie Mcdominic respectively, OWA assessed the body politic of Rivers State over the years,considered the quantum of contributions and supreme prices the Ogonis have paid toward the liberation of Rivers people,the emancipation of the Niger Delta region, and the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, and resolved that it was equitable ,fair and just for an Ogoni son, this time around,to be given an opportunity to ensure the realisation of Rivers dreams.
In light of the above OWA called on her loving brothers and neighbours in Rivers State including the Ikwerres,Kalabaris, Okirikas,Ekpeyes,Ndonis,Opobos,etc,to support the Ogonis in 2023 towards the materialisation of this objective.
OWA noted that in the past the Ogonis had thrown their weight fully behind the leadership of Rivers State presented by any of her neighbours, and believed that it was logical for her neighbours to reciprocate such gestures by fully and patriotically supporting any qualified and distinguished Ogoni son who presents himself to serve Rivers people.
OWA analysed the service records of Governor Nyeson Wike in various capacities to date in Rivers State,and observed that it was ripe for indigenes of the state to repackage using fresh and vibrant ideas from Rivers South senatorial District, the only senatorial zone that has not been challenged with the converted number one seat in Rivers State.
It concluded that “Rivers indigenes should take this all very important decision, look toward to Ogoni who have paid heavy prices and demonstrated so much concern for governance in recent time.”
“Finally, we acknowledged the stand of our pragmatic leader/ elderstateman, Senator Dr.Bernard Birabi and agree that politics is a contest but for the sake of equity, justice,fairness,and political morality ,we are appealing to the two Political Parties, PDP and APC to file in their 2023 candidate from Ogoni extraction.
