Major ethnic nationalities in Rivers State are clamouring for the shift of governorship position from the upland to the riverine area in 2023.
Issues of power rotation dominated a stakeholders’ meeting involving the Kalabari and Ogoni ethnic nationalities in the state as they reportedly reached an agreement to give the riverine areas an opportunity to produce the next governor.
The unity meeting was attended by chiefs and opinions leaders of Ogoni on the platform of Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI) and Kalabari, Kengema Unity Forum (KUF).
The Leader of KUF, High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich in his speech titled, Movement for the Actualization of Upland/Riverine Dichotomy for Peace, Equality and Justice, noted that the two major ethnic nationalities in the state shared similarities in terms of terrain, socioeconomic and political marginalization.
He said: “However, the stories of environmental devastation, economic and political marginalization suffered by these major tribes inflicted on us by the state and federal government despite providing over 80% of the economic stay of the state, can only be better imagined.
“To further worsen the situation, by our political sequence, we have seen a deliberate effort by some of our upland brothers who seem to have taken advantage of our seemingly discordant posture with a calculated move to hold on to power for 24 years and deliberately politicizing the development of the state.
“It has, therefore, become necessary for us to work together, stand by each other to fight and gain back our socioeconomic and political freedom destiny as a people.
He said that the concept of upland/riverine dichotomy in the political events of the state dated back to the era after the creation of the state.
Jackrich explained that upland political leaders led by Dr. Obi Wali and Ken Saro-Wiwa used the upland/riverine divide as a defining terminology to describe the Ijaws and their mainland neighbours in the old Rivers State.
He regretted that since the emergence of Dr. Peter Odili in 1999 to 2007 that power had not been given to the riverine as earlier agreed, adding that there would be need for the riverine to be considered in 2023.
He said: “Since power rotated to the upland about 20 years ago, the beneficiaries of the Upland/Riverine dichotomy who are mostly our Ikwerre brothers are now saying that what is important is not where the governor comes from, but how projects are distributed equitably to all the communities in the state.
“It will be totally unfair to be talking about abrogation of upland/riverine dichotomy now that the upland, especially the Ikwerres would have held sway in the helm of affairs of the state for 24 years at the end of Wike’s tenure in office by 2023
“However, according to the political history of the state in the past twenty two years, it will only be fair to consider the Riverine and most specifically, the Kalabaris to have a shot to occupy the Brick House in the next political dispensation of the state.
“The Kengema Unity Forum which is the mouth piece of the Kalabari people, therefore seizes this medium to appeal to you our Ogoni brothers and sisters to lend us your support to enable us achieve this lofty height,” Jackrich added.
On his part, Douglas Fabeke, the Leader of Ogoni Liberation Initiative, said that Ogoni was being marginalised, noting that the people were on the move for liberation.
Fabeke said: “Ogoni are peculiar and we are facing economic slavery. We are here to make moves on how to liberate ourselves.
“Ogoni has over 300 oil wells yet we are the poorest in the state. We will liberate ourselves. We contribute 98% in the economic development of Nigeria.
“We have decided that Ogoni land will never remain what it is. We are not taking permission from any politician.”
Also an ex-warlord and freedom fighter, Mujahid Asari Dokubo said political freedom of the two major ethnic groups of the state was inevitable.
He urged the people to be resolute and steadfast to ensure that power rotated to the riverine, appealing to them to make sacrifices to attain the feat.
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