Prominent Ogoni stakeholder and environmental activist, Celestine Akpobari, has called on all Ogoni politicians serving in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and aligned to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, to resign immediately in protest against what he described as the continued political marginalization of Ogoni people in Rivers State.
Akpobari made the call during an interview in Port Harcourt, where he reacted to the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, describing the development as “sad” for the Ogoni people.
According to him, the political structure in Rivers State has continued to favour the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, while Ogoni people remain excluded from key positions despite being one of the major ethnic blocs in the state.
Akpobari noted that if the APC eventually produces O.K. Chinda as governor of Rivers State, the Ikwerre ethnic nationality would have produced four governors in succession, citing the administrations of former governors Celestine Omehia, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nyesom Wike.
He lamented that despite Ogoni’s contributions to the economic and political development of Rivers State, the ethnic nationality is yet to produce a governor, deputy governor, speaker of the State House of Assembly, or chief judge.
The environmental activist questioned the silence of some Ogoni politicians aligned with powerful political interests in the state, accusing them of failing to defend the collective interest of the Ogoni people.
“I wonder what all those Ogoni people following Wike about are doing. Nobody is saying anything concerning Ogoni,” he said.
Akpobari also criticized ongoing engagements around oil resumption in Ogoniland, questioning whether issues relating to political inclusion and power-sharing were part of discussions allegedly being held with the Federal Government, the National Security Adviser, and other stakeholders.
He argued that Ogoni leaders involved in negotiations over oil resumption should prioritize the political future and recognition of the Ogoni people rather than focusing solely on economic interests.
Calling for stronger collective action, Akpobari urged Ogoni political appointees serving in the current Federal Government to resign as a form of protest against what he termed injustice and exclusion.
According to him, “If they truly care about Ogoni, they should resign and return home.”
He further called on traditional rulers, political leaders, youth groups, and stakeholders across Ogoniland to unite and demand greater political inclusion and representation in Rivers State.
Akpobari maintained that the time had come for Ogoni people to place their collective future above partisan politics and personal interests, warning that continued silence could further weaken the political relevance of the ethnic nationality in the state.
By; Marian Ikisikpo, Port Harcourt.
