Political leaders from Ogoni and Oyigbo, Rivers State, have united to demand a power shift to their region in the upcoming 2027 governorship election.
During a meeting at Tai, the Ogoni/Oyigbo Peoples Assembly, which included cross-party leaders such as Senator Barinada Mpigi, Senator Magnus Abe, and Chief Victor Giadom, resolved to push for a governorship candidate from their area.
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The assembly was organized to discuss the future of the region’s political standing and to strategize for the post-Governor Siminalayi Fubara era.
The leaders criticized the current governor’s fallout with his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and expressed their continued support for Wike’s leadership.
Senator Mpigi, reading a communique after the meeting, called for political parties to back a candidate from the Ogoni/Oyigbo area, as they are part of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, which has yet to produce a governor.
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He emphasized that their region is prepared to take on the leadership role and will actively pursue the governorship seat in the 2027 election.
The leaders also expressed appreciation for Wike’s role in uniting Ogoni and Oyigbo people and reaffirmed their loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, calling for his re-election in 2027 to continue his economic reforms.
Mpigi and other leaders commended Wike’s achievements both as a governor and in his current role as FCT minister.
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The assembly also issued a warning to Chief Edwin Clark, urging him to refrain from making divisive remarks about Wike.
They accused Clark of prioritizing Ijaw interests at the expense of other ethnic groups in Rivers State and called for unity among the people of the state.
In addition, the assembly threw its support behind the Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martins Amaewhule and 27 lawmakers, condemning the actions of caretaker committees in local governments as wasteful.
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The leaders expressed confidence in their capacity to unite with other ethnic groups within Rivers State, including the Ikwerre, Orashi, Etche, and Ijaw communities, to ensure their candidate’s victory in 2027.
They declared that this is their moment to fight for the development, education, and empowerment of their people and secure the governorship seat.
The meeting ended with a call for unity and peace, stressing that the Ogoni and Oyigbo regions are determined to play a significant role in shaping the political future of Rivers State.
