By Daniel Abia, P/Harcourt

The agitation for a governor of Ogoni extraction in Rivers state in 2027 continues to gather momentum as prominent leaders have taken the front burner for the realization of the long time dream.

Chief Anthony Waadah, President of the Ogoni Business Owners Association in America, OBOA, who made this known said Ogonis must unite irrespective of political parties to ensure that one of their own emerges the next governor of Rivers state.

In a statement on Friday, Waadah condemned the recent verbal attack on Dr. Gabriel Pidomson, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, whose emergence was described as a “cunning ticket”.

He warned politicians in the area particularly, former senator Magnus Abe and current Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to desist from making what he described as derogatory remarks about the ADC candidate.

Waadah dismissed claims by Abe that he led Ogoni support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, insisting that the former senator had abandoned the All Progressives Congress (APC) in pursuit of his governorship ambition on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He alleged that Abe left the Rivers State APC at a critical period and focused on his personal political aspirations, leaving the party structure and its supporters to fend for themselves during the electioneering process.

According to him, he donated five branded campaign vehicles bearing Tinubu’s images and provided financial support to the party leadership to strengthen the president’s electoral chances in Ogoniland.

The Ogoni leader stated that the candidacy of Dr. Gabriel Pidomson presents a historic opportunity for the Ogoni people to assert their political relevance in Rivers State after years of supporting candidates from other ethnic nationalities.

“We are going to use the candidacy of Sir Dr. Gabriel Pidomson to make a clear statement that Ogonis cannot continue to play second fiddle in the affairs of Rivers State. Over the years, Ogonis have supported the Ijaw and Ikwerre political blocs. It is only fair and just for others to reciprocate that support by backing an Ogoni candidate,” he said.

Waadah further assured the ADC of massive support from Ogonis both at home and in the diaspora, describing the party as the political platform that aligns with the aspirations and vision of the Ogoni people.

The OBOA President noted that one of the key demands contained in the Ogoni Bill of Rights is fair political representation, adding that the ADC has demonstrated a commitment to that principle through the emergence of Pidomson as its governorship candidate.

He urged Ogonis across all communities to unite behind the ADC candidate, whom he described as a highly intellectual, dependable and dedicated democrat with the capacity to provide effective leadership for Rivers State.

Waadah also advised Ogonis to disregard Abe’s political positions, alleging that the former senator does not represent the collective interests of the Ogoni people.

The Ogoni leader also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to seize the opportunity presented by the current political climate to address longstanding Ogoni concerns by supporting the emergence of an Ogoni governor in Rivers State.

“It is not too late for the President to take concrete steps toward addressing the Ogoni agitation”, stressing that support for an Ogoni governorship would serve as a confidence-building measure between the Federal Government and the Ogoni people.

“Such a gesture will help heal our hearts and our land, strengthen national unity, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to justice, inclusion and fair representation for the Ogoni people within the Nigerian federation,” Waadah stated.