Ogonis Should Produce Next Rivers Governor, Senate President, Akpabio Tells Rivers, People

Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate (holding red microphone) addressed members of the congregation on Saturday during the Thanksgiving service.

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has expressed his preference for the Ogoni nation to produce the next Governor of Rivers State.

Akpabio who led several senators and members of the House of Representatives to St Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Tai Local Government Area for the thanksgiving ceremony put together to thank God for Senator Barry Mpigi’s victory at the last general elections said the Ogonis deserved to take a perfect shot at Brick House in 2027.

Although he did not refer to anyone in particular, the Senate President said the Ogonis who are part and parcel of the Rivers East Senatorial District have experienced and loyal leaders who could be trusted to do the job.

Akpabio lauded Wike for his role in the last election which turned the table in favor of the President and explained that it was the basic reason why the South-South has produced a Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for the first time.

Speaking earlier, the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike said that there are people who are unhappy with the level of unity that exists in the oil-rich State.

The two-term Governor said the presence of leaders of the APC and PDP is proof of the peace and understanding that reigns in Rivers State.

He spoke of the unbreakable bond that has kept the Rivers State together as a unit and talked of the strength of the mainstream political structure that remains active.

Wike recalled that Rivers was the only State where the people voted in a national election for a presidential candidate of one party and went ahead at the same time to vote for the emergence of senators and members of the House of Representatives on the platform of another party.

Wike noted that such an uncommon occurrence has never happened in the annals of Nigerian politics, saying “We have no fear” that Rivers people would prove this point at the fullness of time.

The Minister thanked members of the National Assembly for their overwhelming presence at the thanksgiving of one of their own and thanked the leadership of the Senate for appointing Senator Mpigi as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works.

Also speaking, Senator Mpigi thanked God for his support and guidance and expressed gratitude to Wike for the role he has played in his life and the lives of others.

Mpigi described Senator Akpabio as an uncommon Senate President and thanked him for the decision by the Senate to pick him as the Chairman of the Committee on Works.

He announced that he and his colleagues have raised the sum of N100 million for the construction of a cathedral in the area.

No less than 50 Senators from across the country led by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio at the weekend in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Several lawmakers in the Federal House of Representatives, including members of the Rivers Caucus in the National Assembly led by the Minority Leader, Rep Kingsley Chindah, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by its Speaker Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule graced the occasion.