The Ogonis are no traitors rather they are and remain men and women of integrity who stand by their convictions and professed loyalties. Acts of betrayal by certain individuals from the Ogoni ethnic nationality are individual problems and not race issue.

This was the position of a former Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Leyii Kwanee, when he spoke over the phone with Kristina Reports on Monday, March 25, 2019.

Kwanee was reacting to insinuations making the rounds that the Ogonis are serial betrayers.

The Ogoni nation comprises Eleme, Gokana, Khana and Tai Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

Those peddling this insinuations refer to the Senator representing Rivers South East in the National Assembly, Magnus Abe; Precious Baridoo, gubernatorial candidate of the Accord Party in Rivers State; and Akpo Bomba Yeeh, who until Monday, March 25, 2019, was the deputy governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).

Abe, who hails from Bera, Gokana Local Government Area of the state, was said to have allegedly betrayed his erstwhile boss and current Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, when both men fell out owing to the governorship ambition of the two term senator.

Baridoo, who hails from Bane in Khana LGA, conceded his candidacy to the state Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nyesom Wike shortly after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt disqualified Dumo Lulu Briggs, declaring him as the authentic candidate of the party.  

Yeeh, a native of Kaani in Khana LGA, according to yet-to-be-verified reports, defected to the PDP, dumping his party and running mate position after he was allegedly offered N15 million.  

Since his defection earlier today, the media space has been awash with insinuations that the Ogonis are generally traitors.

But the former Deputy Speaker debunked such insinuations, saying that the Ogoni nation parades men and women of impeachable character and sterling reputation.

“There are so many Ogoni sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves in diverse fields of endeavor. We have not betrayed those to who we committed our loyalty. We hold tenaciously to our integrity and reputation and good name.”

“I have always said it that man cannot be trusted so you should not put your trust in man. But nothing is strange as per what has transpired. Such conduct can always be found among other tribes and communities.”

On the fear that Ogoni sons and daughter may not be trusted with public office, the former lawmaker dismissed such fears, saying there were several individuals from the area that have demonstrated character in trying circumstances.    “Men like Rt. Hon. Kwanee stand out in diverse circumstances as was seen in 2015 when democracy was on trial across the country. I distinguished myself in those trying times. There are so many Kwanees that strut the land, men of integrity, men of rectitude”.