A group, the Opobo Elder Statesmen 4 Sim, has said that its members have put aside their political affiliations to support the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
The body, which comprised of heads of some war canoe houses, professionals and leaders of thought in Opobo Kingdom, said its decision to back the candidacy of Fubara whom they described as ‘son of the soil’, was for the overall interest of the kingdom.
Speaking in Opobo Town during a PDP campaign rally at the weekend, chairman of the group, Alabo Edwin Cockeye Brown, said though the members professed different political affiliations, the candidacy of Fubara was “a lifetime opportunity” which must not fritter away on account of political differences.
Brown, who is also the Head of Cockeye Brown War Canoe House of Opobo, described their support for the PDP gubernatorial candidate as “total and uncompromising”.
He said: “This project is beyond politics because we don’t discuss PDP, APC, LP or SDP here. Our mind, body and soul is fixated on the emergence of our son as next governor of Rivers State.
“It’s an opportunity which God, through the instrumentality of Governor Wike and the PDP has given to us, and we won’t allow our political differences to rob us of this golden chance.”
Also speaking, a member of the group, Alabo Chamberlain Dodd Peterside, who described the PDP gubernatorial candidate as “God’s gift for Opobo kingdom”, expressed confidence that as a successful technocrat, his victory in the March 11, 2023 governorship election would be a blessing to all facets of the Rivers society, especially civil servants.
On his part, Rivers State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Amaopusenibo Ben Daminabo, who is a member of the group, said the huge crowd witnessed at the rally was a testament to the acceptability of the PDP governorship candidate by people of Opobo/Nkoro.
Daminabo said: “Although I’m a member of the PDP and currently serving the Wike administration as commissioner, you could see from the massive crowd here that the people have jettisoned political affiliations to identify with their son whom they earnestly desire to be governor.”
Also speaking, another member of the group, Jeki Oposenibo Lawrence S. Oko-Jaja, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said he was elated over the successful conduct of the event, describing the rally as the climax of the PDP state-wide campaign.
Also speaking, the Director of Operations of Opobo Elder Statesmen 4 Sim, Warisenibo (Dr) Donald Brown, said the atmosphere at the Opobo Sand field venue of the event was a reflection of the people’s feelings about the candidacy of Siminialayi Fubara.
“The joy and ecstasy that have permeated the community is not unexpected. It’s natural that it should be that way in the sense that it’s like having an unexpected gift of a car. How else do you express the happiness other than what you see here today,” Brown said.
Others like the Gbalolo of Opobo kingdom, High Chief Rowland Fredericks and the group’s Public Relations Officer, Alapalibo Blessing Emmanuel Sunday Jaja, said the support for Fubara was about the Opobo kingdom, adding that the interest of the kingdom overrides all other interests.
The group had earlier joined the Amanyanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, to receive Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and his entourage at the King Jaja’s Palace where the governor was honoured as a Distinguished Opobo Statesman.
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