Ogoni youths in Rivers State have donated N20 million and a campaign vehicle to the Rivers State APC governorship candidate, O.K. Chinda, to support his campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The donation was made during a rally in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Friday, where the youths also declared support for candidates of the Rainbow Coalition and pledged loyalty to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The youths also pledged support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, expressing confidence that his administration would facilitate oil exploration and industrial development in Ogoniland.
The money and vehicle were received on behalf of Chinda by the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, Hon. Dum Deekor, who promised to ensure their delivery to the governorship candidate.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Rivers State, Nwisabari Bani, said the youths’ support for Tinubu was based on what he described as the President’s achievements since assuming office.
Bani expressed optimism that Tinubu’s re-election would facilitate oil exploration in Ogoniland, adding that Rivers State needed a governor who was properly aligned with the Federal Government to attract development projects.
“We are with Mr. President to ensure that oil exploration in Ogoni will be achieved within the nearest possible future. And to do so, you need a working governor that is properly aligned to the centre,” he said.
He added that the proposed industrial park in Ogoniland would create employment opportunities for youths and transform the region’s economy.
“If oil exploration starts in Ogoni today, all our Ogoni youths will have jobs because President Tinubu has just approved an industrial park in Ogoniland,” Bani said.
He urged Ogoni youths to support Tinubu and all candidates of the Rainbow Coalition in the forthcoming elections, stressing that political alignment with the Federal Government was necessary to attract development to the state.
Speaking on behalf of chairmen of the four Ogoni local government areas, Khana LGA Chairman, Hon. Thomas Bariere, commended the youths for the rally and declared that Ogoni remained united in support of the coalition’s candidates.
“I speak for myself, the chairman of Gokana, the chairman of Tai, and the chairman of Eleme that indeed, Ogoni is one united entity. And because all of you have come together to endorse our candidates, we shall give you all the support you need to ensure that your campaigns across the length and breadth of Ogoni will be hitch-free,” Bariere said.
Similarly, Deekor commended the youths for their endorsement and urged Ogoni residents to support Tinubu and other candidates of the coalition.
The rally was attended by elected officials, political leaders, stakeholders, traditional rulers, chiefs, youth groups and students.
