The Ngo Town Urban Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs has endorsed the senatorial bid of Awaji-inombek Dagomie Abiante, PhD, for the Rivers South-East Senatorial District under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The traditional rulers and chiefs also offered Abiante their royal blessings and prayers, urging him to continue pursuing people-oriented projects that would have lasting impact on the community.
They made their position known over the weekend during a homecoming and consultative meeting with Abiante at Obolo Hall, Ngo Town, headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area.
Chairman of the Ngo Town Urban Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Chief (Dr.) Abraham Dike Bara Obiobio IV, said the decision to host Abiante and offer him their blessings demonstrated their support for him and the wider Ngo Town community.
Responding, Abiante, who is the current member representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, promised to serve the people and represent their interests if elected to the Senate.
The NDC candidate said his election would usher in what he described as a new era of political representation anchored on the interests, welfare and development of the people rather than personal or primordial interests.
According to him, his representation would focus on attracting meaningful projects to the senatorial district and sponsoring legislation capable of improving the lives and livelihoods of residents.
“When elected, I will work assiduously to ensure that the needs of our people are given premium attention above my personal or primordial sentiments and interests. I shall be accountable only to the people,” Abiante said.
He also called for unity among the people of Rivers South-East, stressing that Andoni deserves the support of the Ogoni, Opobo/Nkoro and Oyigbo people, having, according to him, not produced a senator since independence.
Abiante has increasingly centred his campaign message on accountable and people-oriented representation as he seeks to take his legislative experience in the House of Representatives to the Senate in 2027.
Family Gives Traditional Backing
Earlier, Abiante received a traditional welcome from his family, the Egwe-unyeile Group of Houses, at the ancestral hall in Ngo Town.
During the ceremony, he was decorated and presented with a symbolic sword, which was described as a traditional gesture to clear his pathway throughout the campaign season.
The National Chairman of the Egwe-unyeile Group of Houses, Prince A. T. U. Otuawaji, who performed the rites of reception, said the family was proud of Abiante’s achievements and called on their ancestors to see him through the electioneering period.
The consultative meetings were attended by other NDC candidates, including the candidate for Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, Captain Emiyarei Sobere Etete; candidate for Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency, Hon. Chisom Kenneth Gbali, PhD; and candidate for Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, Hon. Normate Ben Mikko.
Also present were NDC House of Assembly candidates for the 2027 elections, party chieftains and stalwarts from across the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
