Political leaders in Rivers State’s Ogoni and Oyigbo zones loyal to former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, are looking for a replacement for incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On Saturday, they gathered in Nonwa, Rivers State’s Tai Local Government Area, for the “Ogoni, Oyigbo People’s Assembly.”
The meeting was attended by renowned politicians; the majority of them are supporters of Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Wike, the immediate former governor of Rivers State, is currently embroiled in a spat with Fubara, his estranged political godson, and has promised not to back him again.
Attendees included Senator Barinada Mpigi, Senator Magnus Abe, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, and Chief Victor Giadom.
The Assembly emphasised unity and collaboration between the two ethnic nationalities, who share the same senatorial area (Rivers South-East), and elected Fubara as governor. In their resolution, delivered by Senator Mpigi, they sought the Ogoni/Oyigbo governorship in 2027 and urged unity and collaboration among the Ogoni and Oyigbo people.
They also urged major political parties to consider Ogoni/Oyigbo candidates for governorship while condemning Governor Fubara’s actions.
Senator Mpigi claimed that some political figures were visiting Aso Villa at night to express their support for President Bola Tinubu and asked them to do so publicly during the day.
He urged President Tinubu to run in the 2027 general election to cement his economic reform efforts and complete his developmental programs.
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.”
The leaders praised the FCT Minister for successfully uniting Ogoni and Oyigbo, and they chastised Edwin Clark, an Ijaw leader and elder statesman, for recent comments about Wike.
Speaking earlier, Ambassador Akawor, who chaired the event, stated that because the Ijaw people in the senatorial district had separated themselves from the upland, the upland would make a statement that would change the state’s political history in 2027.
Chief Victor Giadom, South-South Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, praised President Tinubu for his people-orientated reforms and asked major parties to consider Ogoni/Oyigbo for the governorship in 2027.
Senator Abe emphasised the significance of peace and togetherness, while Dumnamene Dekor, who represents Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, emphasised Ogoni/Oyigbo’s ability to produce the next governor.
Former federal lawmaker Emmanuel Deeyah thanked Tinubu and Wike for their love for the Ogoni people and contributions to the country’s progress.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")