As preparations for the 2027 general elections begin, leaders from the Ogoni and Oyigbo zones in Rivers State are advocating for a replacement for the current Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
On Saturday, they gathered in Nonwa, Tai Local Government Area, for an event titled “Ogoni, Oyigbo People’s Assembly.” The event saw the participation of notable politicians, many of whom are aligned with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State.
Wike, who is at odds with Fubara, his former political protégé, has publicly vowed not to support him again.
Attendees included prominent figures such as Senator Barinada Mpigi, Senator Magnus Abe, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, and Chief Victor Giadom.
The Assembly stressed the importance of unity and cooperation between the Ogoni and Oyigbo communities, both of which are part of the Rivers South-East senatorial district that produced Fubara as governor.
In their resolutions, read by Senator Mpigi, they called for the Ogoni/Oyigbo zone to be considered for the governorship position in 2027 and urged both communities to work together.
They also asked major political parties to nominate candidates from these zones and condemned Governor Fubara’s actions.
Senator Mpigi accused some political figures of clandestinely pledging support for President Bola Tinubu while urging them to do so publicly. He also encouraged President Tinubu to run for re-election in 2027 to build on his economic and developmental achievements.
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The resolution reads: “The Ogoni and Oyigbo Peoples Assembly, a multi-political convergence of five Local Government Areas within the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, met today to reaffirm their support for the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and pledged total loyalty to the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike, as the political leader of Rivers State. They also reiterated the obvious fact that the senatorial district’s upland is due for a governor and should produce the next governor of Rivers State come 2027.”
Mpigi further stated: “I call on Mr. President to contest the 2027 election and finish the numerous projects, including the Coastal Roads, Badagry Express Road, and others.”
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The leaders praised the FCT Minister for his efforts in politically uniting the Ogoni and Oyigbo communities and criticized recent remarks by Ijaw leader and elder statesman Edwin Clark against Wike.
During the event, Ambassador Akawor, who chaired the occasion, highlighted that with the Ijaw people in the senatorial district having distanced themselves from the upland, the upland community is poised to make a significant political impact in 2027.
Chief Victor Giadom, South-South Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his reform initiatives aimed at benefiting the people and urged major parties to consider Ogoni/Oyigbo candidates for the 2027 governorship position.
Senator Abe underscored the need for peace and unity, while Dumnamene Dekor, the representative for Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, highlighted Ogoni/Oyigbo’s potential to produce the next governor.
Former federal lawmaker Emmanuel Deeyah also commended President Tinubu and Wike for their commitment to the Ogoni people and their contributions to national development.
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