people of Opobo nation, the home country of the incumbent governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, have tasked the governor to start taking all necessary steps to ensure that he is not stopped from contesting and returning to complete his second tenure in 2027.
The governor’s kinsmen under the auspices of Opobo Progressive Movement, OPM, disclosed this yesterday in a statement in Port Harcourt by the President of the body, Amb. Freedom Owujie, in reaction to a statement by Ogoni and Oyigbo People’s Assembly, OOPA.
OOPA during a conference in Tai Local Government Area of the state said that the Ogonis deserve to produce the next governor of the state in 2027.
In a quick reaction, Owujie condemned the call by OOPA as inciting, noting that it is an attempt to reduce the place of Opobo people in the affairs of the state.
He noted that Opobo might appear to be in the minority, but that the ethnic group cannot play the second fiddle, adding that Fubara would complete even his second term in office as governor of the state, just as it has been since 1999.
The President said: “This is a direct disregard for His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, and a clear attempt to diminish the importance of Opobo people in the dynamics of Rivers politics. We might be small in number, but we are not pushovers. Those who think they can stop an Opobo son from doing his 8 years like others did, will be resisted by any means necessary.
“It is not enough to be large in number, what has your population given you in the scheme of things in the state? Opobo people do not make noise, we do things, we will face it squarely with any group planning to stop our son.”
Owujie claimed that the source of worries for Ogoni was that after working against an Ijaw governor in the state in 2019, they (Ogonis) were not still considered for the hallowed office of the state.
He enjoined the governor to ensure that he takes all positive steps to ensure that he returns to complete his second term.
Owujie said: “There is no gainsaying that Ogoni people are still pained that despite everything they did to frustrate Rotimi Amaechi from producing an Ijaw Governor in 2019, they were not considered in 2023, an Opobo man got the crown.
“We are calling on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to use every power that comes with his office to stop these people. The Governor should do whatever it takes to weed off these detractors here and there who are hell-bent on distracting him. They must be stopped before they stop him.”
“Opobo people are known for their peaceful disposition, and we have been maintaining cordiality with our Ogoni neighbours despite several provocations, but if they continue to push us, we will react because the governorship of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara means everything to us.”
