The United States Chapter of the Ogoni Democratic Movement (ODM) has lamented that as significant as Ogoni in the ethnic calculations in Rivers State, the Nationality has not produced a Governor, Deputy Governor or Speaker of the House of Assembly.
In a seven point communiqué issued at the end of its meeting in Atlanta-Georgia, the body observed that such reasoning places the Ogonis as marginalized people, which according to the Movement should be rectified in 2015 through the election of an Ogoni as Governor in Rivers State.
The communiqué signed by the National Coordinator, ODM-USA, Godwin Kpea, said; “Political parties in Nigeria, stakeholders of political groups, and party chieftains who are interested in governorship position in Rivers State should invoke an Ogoni candidature in its primary election to enjoy the benefit of Ogoni votes in 2015.
“We will never allow the world and in particular other Rivers State ethnic nationalities to cheat us anymore as we hold to keep our destinies in our cling fists. ODM stakeholders appeal to Ogonis in the Continental USA to support this campaign because it is just and realistic.
“The high intellectual capacity of Ogonis in the USA will be harnessed to benefit this aspiration. Ogonis are urged to deploy every resource available to achieve this noble and achievable cause. Considering the obvious marginalization of Ogonis in the political scheme since the creation of Rivers State in 1967, the 2015 governorship election must produce an Ogoni as governor.
The group said it will soon begin a sensitization campaign of all Ogoni to drive home the message that there are capable and patriotic indigenes of Ogoni ethnic nationality that can be elected to succeed Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi come 2015, and called on Ogonis at home and in Diaspora to close ranks in the quest.
“All patriotic Ogonis should be sensitized to pursue this crusade with singleness of purpose and determination. ODM-USA will embark on a sensitization campaign to drive home the point that there are capable, experienced, patriotic Ogonis that will make us proud if elected to govern the state. All they need right now is our support and unity. The door is open to any interested politician to step forward for the main prize, not playing a second fiddle”. It declared
“Ogonis, both home and in Diaspora should close ranks and unite in order to achieve this goal for Ogoni. This is not the time for rancor or finger pointing. We cannot continue to blame others for our woes of political and economic marginalization in the state when just a shred of unity will see us grapping the prize. We must unite and speak with one voice.
“ODM will collaborate with like-minded groups be it Ogonis or non-Ogonis at home and in Diaspora to achieve this goal. These are our resolutions. We cannot afford to let four local governments of the Ogonis out of 23 local governments in Rivers State to be a minority in this present dispensation.”
Signed:
HONOUR SIRAWOO
Secretary-General
ODM
April 23, 2014
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