As the 2027 general elections approach, 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 called the “Ogoni, Oyigbo People’s Assembly.” The meeting drew prominent politicians, many of whom are aligned with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State governor. Wike, now at odds with Fubara, has pledged not to support his former protégé again.
Attendees included figures such as Senator Barinada Mpigi, Senator Magnus Abe, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, and Chief Victor Giadom. The Assembly underscored the need for unity and collaboration between the Ogoni and Oyigbo communities, which are part of the same senatorial district (Rivers South-East) that produced Fubara as governor.
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In their resolution, read by Senator Mpigi, the Assembly demanded that the governorship slot for 2027 be allocated to the Ogoni/Oyigbo people. They called on major political parties to consider Ogoni/Oyigbo candidates and criticized Governor Fubara’s performance.
Senator Mpigi also claimed that some political figures were covertly pledging support for President Bola Tinubu and urged them to do so publicly. He called on President Tinubu to run for re-election in 2027 to complete his development projects and strengthen economic improvements.
The resolution stated: “The Ogoni and Oyigbo Peoples Assembly, representing five Local Government Areas within the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, reaffirms support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration and pledges loyalty to Chief Nyesom Wike as the political leader of Rivers State. The Assembly insists that the upland region is due for the next governorship and should produce the governor in 2027.”
Mpigi added: “I urge Mr. President to run in the 2027 elections to complete critical projects such as the Coastal Roads and Badagry Express Road.”
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The leaders praised the FCT Minister for uniting the Ogoni and Oyigbo politically and condemned recent remarks by Ijaw leader Edwin Clark against Wike.
Ambassador Akawor, who chaired the event, emphasized that the upland region would make a significant political statement in 2027, given the Ijaw community’s separation from the upland.
Chief Victor Giadom, South-South Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, thanked President Tinubu for his reforms and urged that Ogoni/Oyigbo be considered for the governorship slot in 2027.
Senator Abe highlighted the importance of peace and unity, while Dumnamene Dekor, representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, stressed the capability of Ogoni/Oyigbo 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.
