Youths protest over Wike’s hate speeches against Ogoni

THOUSANDS of youths from Rivers South-East Senatorial district yesterday took to the streets of Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Council, in protest over alleged hate speeches made by Governor Nyesom Wike, against their prominent sons and leaders of Ogoniland.

The protesters, who said the peaceful protest was in line with the Ogoni non-violent struggle, came from across the seven local government areas that make up the senatorial district, carrying placards that bore different inscriptions. Some of them read: “Wike, leave Magnus Abe alone,” “Wike, stop bringing guns to Ogoni,” “Concentrate on governance,” Go and campaign in Ikwerre, respect Abe and Barry Mpigi,” amongst others.

Addressing the protesters, Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oji Ngofa, said people of the senatorial district and the entire Ogoni ethnic nationality in particular, have suffered enough of divide-and-rule tactics, pointing out that hate speeches and instigation of crisis by external forces have caused a lot of pains to Ogoni people.

Ngofa, who is former Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, described Magnus Abe and Barry Mpigi, both candidates of the APC in the March 19, National Assembly re-run elections, as respected sons of the Ogoni ethnic nationality.

While calling on Wike to face governance, the APC scribe declared support for the continued presence of the military in Bori, saying it is in the interest of the people, considering the high level of insecurity in the area.

Also, former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, representing Khana Constituency 1, Legborsi Nwidadah, wondered why the governor chose to blame his political opponents, instead of calling for an investigation into the attack on soldiers in Ogoni communities.

He also wondered why Wike has not come out to condemn the large catches of arms and ammunitions that were recovered by the military at the residence of wanted former Niger-Delta militant, Solomon Ndigbara (aka Osama Bin Laden), in Yeghe community of Gokana Local Government Area.