As the 2027 general elections in Rivers State gather momentum, some residents of the state have faulted the alleged aspirations of the Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Barinada Mpigi.It was alleged that the lawmaker is preparing to contest for the governorship position in the state in 2027.
Our correspondent gathered that many residents and citizens of the state have used the opportunity to admonish Barry Mpigi to shelve such an ambition.They noted that such a move would be an effort in futility, accusing the senator of failing to provide the people of the district with the dividends of democracy. Instead, they claimed he has only made empty promises. The district, which comprises Khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme, Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro, and Oyigbo LGAs, has allegedly seen no development projects from the Federal Government through him in the past eight years.
The residents further described Barry Mpigi’s representation as lacking a quality service delivery blueprint.According to a renowned politician and stakeholder in the district, High-Chief Solomon Agom Eze, “Since the administration of Dr. Barinada Mpigi as Senator representing the people of Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly years back, nothing tangible has been seen physically as development projects in the district, let alone anything benefiting the state.“His coming out to contest for the number one seat in the state remains laughable, a mirage, and a plot to create room for perpetual hardship, hunger, insecurity, killings, poverty, and more deaths.
“What Rivers State needs now is a vibrant, articulate, development-driven, God-fearing, humble, and unassuming servant-leader whose visionary leadership potential is well-reputed. We need a sincere leader, as in the case of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has put the people’s interests above all other considerations,” High-Chief Solomon Agom Eze declared.Also lending her voice, a petty trader at the Mile 1 Market in Port Harcourt, Mrs. Jessica Abule, who deals in perishable goods, criticized politicians for making empty promises during election campaigns. She said their pledges to uplift businesses with financial support had turned out to be a hoax and a total disservice to humanity.
Abule stated that Rivers State deserves leaders like Governor Siminalayi Fubara, not individuals like Barry Mpigi.She explained that despite several attempts to compel him to fulfill his promises over the years, they have all failed.“For me, I don’t think this young man has anything to offer as Rivers Governor in 2027. I urge him to bow out of politics because it doesn’t suit him.“I have not seen any project he executed, even in his own community, Tai, let alone in other Local Government Areas under his jurisdiction. For the past years of his administration as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he has done nothing tangible.
I admonish him to shelve such an ambition, as it will not work for him this time around.“Under Mpigi’s administration as Senator, nothing reasonable was attracted to the state, yet he wants to govern it in 2027,” she declared.For Dr. Erasmus Amakiri, a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt, there is no basis for Senator Barry Mpigi to consider contesting the governorship election in 2027.“Already, Governor Siminalayi Fubara is there for re-election in 2027. The Governor, who has performed above the people’s expectations, deserves another shot at the Brick House.
“If it is true that Mpigi, who has failed his people, is coming to contest for the governorship position, he is bound to fail woefully.“Rivers people are tired and sick of being fooled by political marauders and dissidents who refuse to bow out of governance. What Rivers people need right now are leaders with the fear of God, leadership courage, and an unimaginable vision. They need leaders with direction and the people’s interests at heart above all other considerations,” Dr. Erasmus Amakiri said.
However, most of the residents who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity urged Rivers people to completely reject Senator Barry Mpigi’s alleged governorship ambition. Instead, they expressed their continued support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whom they believe has the people’s best interests at heart.They, therefore, described the state under Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “impressive, profitable, and development-driven.”
