Rivers Southeast Youth Rejects Imposition of Sen. Barry Mpigi
Katherine Abayomi, Port Harcourt
The political atmosphere in Rivers Southeast Senatorial District took a dramatic turn as deep-seated divisions rocked the Wike Support Group following the controversial endorsement of Senator Barry Mpigi by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The gathering, which took place at the minister’s residence, ended in chaos as key political figures, including Kamalu, Magnus Abe, Innocent Barikor, Victor Giadom, Olaka Nwogu, Kenneth Kobani, and other stakeholders, staged a walkout in protest against what they described as a brazen attempt to impose Mpigi on the people.
Eyewitnesses at the meeting confirmed that as tensions escalated, voices of opposition echoed through the room, with leaders and faithful of the aggrieved leaders rejecting Wike’s unilateral decision to anoint Barry Mpigi as his preferred governorship candidate. The move, widely perceived as political subjugation, was stiffly resisted as they decried Wike’s continuous interference in the democratic process.
Barry Mpigi’s track record in the Senate has been disappointing. In his second term as senator, he remained an absentee lawmaker, offering zero tangible representation to the good people of Rivers Southeast. His tenure has been marked by inefficiency, unfulfilled promises, and a complete disconnect from the needs of his constituents. Yet, Nyesom Wike, in his characteristic fashion, is forcing him down the throats of the people once again despite the glaring evidence of his failures. However, the move is not about performance but access to gain control as the government plans to resume oil production in Ogoni land.
Information from reliable sources reveals that Barry Mpigi has entered into a secret pact with Wike, promising to mortgage the state’s resources in exchange for political support. This is the same pattern of political enslavement that Wike has subjected Rivers State to over the years, imposing candidates whose only loyalty is to him rather than to the people.
Comrade Tambari Barikor, President of Rivers Southeast Youth Forum, stated, “We, the Youths of Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, categorically reject this imposition. We will not sit idly by while our future is traded for selfish political gains. Rivers State belongs to all of us, and we must be allowed to choose our leaders freely. We call on the seven local governments that make up Rivers Southeast: Eleme, Tai, Khana, Gokana, Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni, and Oyigbo, to rise against this tyranny and reject Wike’s attempt to install his preferred friend as governor.”
“Ogoni youths are seriously considering a shift to the simplified family seeing the performance of Governor Fubara, though they are worried if they will be accepted due to their past actions and activities against Governor Fubara and his supporters.”
“Our future will be brighter with the Simplicity Movement of His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Under his leadership, Rivers State has witnessed a new era of peace, love, unity, and democratic dividends in all ramifications. He has demonstrated true leadership, and we firmly support his 4+4 mandate to continue his good works.”
“Rivers State will no longer be a playground for selfish politicians who trade our commonwealth for personal gains. The people have spoken, and we will resist any attempt to subvert the will of the electorate. he retorted.
