The people of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Rivers State, have insisted that their demand for governorship in 2015 is justified, while they commend the leadership and developmental strides of Governor Rotimi Amaechi in Ogoniland.
In a communiqué at the end of a one-day mini-congress of Ogoni ethnic nationality, organised by the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers at Saakpenwa, Tai Local Government Area of the state, the Ogonis also decried the delay in the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, report on Ogoniland, by the Federal Government, three years after it was released.
The communiqué was signed by the President of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, King Godwin Gininwa; a delegate to the ongoing national conference, Justice Peter Akere; the Gberemene Gokana Kingdom, King Barnabas Bagia; Gbenemene Babbe Kingdom, King Frank Noryaa; the paramount ruler of Ogale clan in Eleme, Chief Godwin Bebe-Okpabi, representatives of MOSOP, KAGOTE, and women, demanded the immediate implementation of the report.
The communiqué read: “The Ogoni people, as a distinct and one of the largest ethnic nationalities in Rivers State are very peaceful and have contributed immensely to the growth and development of Rivers State and Nigeria through its natural resources and human capital
“Despite our huge contributions to the peace and sustenance of Rivers State and Nigeria, we have been deliberately oppressed, neglected and marginalised socially, politically, economically and otherwise. We are troubled by the delay in the implementation of the UNEP report by the Federal Government almost three years after it was released, and therefore, demand the immediate implementation of the report.
“Our agitation to produce governor in 2015 is justified. We, therefore, seek the understanding, cooperation and support of other ethnic nationalities in Rivers State in the spirit of justice and reciprocation of Ogonis previous support to others.”
Vanguard