The Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Dr Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, JP, Edward I, Perekule XI says the deceased former Rivers State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Rodaford Longjohn was an exceptional politician.

King Edward said this on Saturday, September 2, 2023 when he received a Rivers State Government delegation that was in Bonny for the funeral of the demised Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the King Perekule Palace, Bonny.

A statement by the spokesman of the King Perekule Palace, Adolf Pepple informed that the delegation was led by the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Desmond Akawor, who represented the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Among them were a member of the House of Representatives, Cyril Hart; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chidi Amadi; Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green; and Chairman of Bonny LGA, Anengi Claude-Wilcox; a former member of the State House of Assembly, Aye Pepple; and former Commissioners for Transport and Information and Communications, George Tolofari, and Paulinus Nsirim, respectively, amongst others.

He remarked that the liberalism, inclusivity and accommodating politics exuded by late Rodaford Longjohn stood him out among his peers, acknowledging his all-encompassing approach to diverse political interests and persuasions.

He urged younger politicians to emulate and sustain the sportsmanly political legacy the deceased political leader has left behind.

Until his demise on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at the age of 69, Rodaford Longjohn, who hold the revered Ibani title of Amaopusenibo, had served as a former two term Executive Chairman of Bonny LGA and former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs in Rivers State.

While praying for the repose of the soul of the demised, the Bonny Kingdom Monarch expressed optimism that the PDP, Bonny Chapter and the political class in general would be able to fill the vacuum which his departure has created, as well as prayed for God to give the deceased’s family, friends, colleagues, associates and followers the fortitude to bear the great loss.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Desmond Akawor, who brought greetings from the Governor Fubara to the King, described the Amanyanabo of Bonny as one of the most respected traditional rulers in the country, saying it would be an aberration to visit Bonny Kingdom without paying courtesy visit to the owner of the land.