Opobo group backs Fubara for second term amid political tension

The people of Opobo, the home area of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, have called on the governor to take necessary measures to ensure his re-election and completion of his second term in 2027.

The Opobo Progressive Movement (OPM) made the call in a statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt.

The statement, delivered by OPM President Amb. Freedom Owujie, was in response to recent comments by the Ogoni and Oyigbo People’s Assembly (OOPA).

OOPA had recently declared that the Ogonis should produce the next governor of Rivers State in 2027 during a conference in Tai Local Government Area (LGA).

Owujie criticised this stance, labelling it as inciting and aimed at undermining Opobo’s role in state politics.

“This is a direct disregard for His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and an attempt to diminish the significance of Opobo people in Rivers State politics,” Owujie stated

. “We may be small in number, but we are not pushovers. Any effort to prevent an Opobo son from completing his eight years in office will be resisted by all means necessary.”

Owujie suggested that the Ogoni’s discontent stemmed from their failure to secure the governorship despite their opposition to an Ijaw governor in 2019. He urged Governor Fubara to take all necessary actions to secure his position and address the challenges posed by these detractors.

“We are calling on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to use every power at his disposal to counter these efforts and ensure his re-election,” Owujie added. “The governorship of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, is of utmost importance to us, and we will react if pushed further.”