When, on October 30, 2023, Rivers people trooped out in their numbers to defend Governor Siminialayi Fubara following an unpopular and illegal impeachment attempt, they did so not because they loved Siminialayi Fubara so much.
They did so because of their love for Rivers State.
They trooped out in defence against oppression.
They trooped out in defence against continuous slavery.
They trooped out in defence of freedom.
They trooped out against dictatorship and suppression.
They trooped out because of their love for the progress and prosperity of Rivers State.
That is why genuine lovers of the state’s progress will not go back to the House of Slavery and Oppression, cloaked in Rainbow Coalition. They will not join those that want to return the State to the dark years of history. They will not choose to return to Egypt.
Rather, they will commit themselves to its liberation and freedom from captivity and dictatorship. They will walk away from godfatherism, support an independent-minded candidate who will not wait for directives from political godfathers before addressing the needs of the people.
They will support a candidate who will advance the course of development and progress of the State and rule with the fear of God and promote development in all sectors of the State.
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Genuine lovers of the State’s progress, just as they joined Sir Siminialayi Fubara to fight injustice, dictatorship, and tyranny in 2023, so will they join Dr Gabriel Pidomson in 2027 to take Rivers State out of the impending dark cloud hanging over it and ensure that the evil plans by enemies and greedy politicians whose interest is to protect their own business empire are resisted.
Genuine lovers of Rivers State will reject their Rainbow Coalition because it is a coalition of deception.
They will come together, form strategic alliances and partnerships that will defeat the coalition of the oppressors and liberate Rivers State from godfatherism and the domination of one man in the political space.
Rivers people will not allow one man to continue to hold their God-given State to ransom by singlehandedly imposing governors on them, especially one that will protect the business interests of one particular individual who sees himself as a demigod.
Will it not be a thing of shame for Rivers people to allow another Obio/Akpor man to govern the State after Nyesom Wike, an Obio/Akpor man, ruled and destroyed the State for eight good years?
How can any right-thinking Rivers man or woman think of supporting another Obio/Akpor person to govern Rivers State again? Is Rivers State anybody’s personal estate or property?
This is the time for Rivers people to wake up from their slumber and take their destiny into their hands by rejecting moves by a single individual who knew nothing about the creation of the State to continue to dominate governance and impose leadership on the State.
They should resist manipulation, intimidation, and any maneuvering to return the State to Egypt a second time, but must be prepared to take back their State from oppressors and buccaneers who are after its resources.
Rivers State is not one man’s estate; it is our collective heritage, and we reserve the right to decide who presides over our collective affairs in 2027.
By Paul Deeyah
