It was carnival of sorts in Bonny Island, Rivers State when Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State visited with his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, governorship candidate of his party, Siminialayim Fubara, and other party bigwigs to flag off campaigns there.

Wike told the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, JP, DSSRS, Perekule XI, and his people that the determination of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to have Fubara replace him as Governor of the State through the ballot come March 11, 2023 was the biggest project to the people of the area.

This position apparently was in reaction to widespread discontent over the lack of developmental footprint of his administration in Bonny LGA as a whole save for a recent shore protection and bridge repairs project at Longjohn section of Abalamabie Community, home of his erstwhile Commissioner for Local Government and PDP leader in Bonny LGA.

In his estimation as expressed during the campaign rally held at the Local Government Industrial Unit (LGIU) field in Bonny, Siminialayi Fubara as the gubernatorial choice of PDP was a blessing to the Ibani nation, which comprises Bonny and Opobo Kingdoms.

He urged the people of the area to align with their kindred in Opobo/Nkoro LGA and support the emergence of Fubara, who holds the Ibani title of Amaopusenibo (country elder) as Governor of Rivers State, promising to kick start the process of awarding the contract for the construction of the Bonny Ring Road, which would connect communities and settlement on the eastern flank of Bonny LGA.

Speaking at a courtesy visit to the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom at the King Perekule Palace, Wike apologized to the King and his people for the delay in the completion of the remodeling project of the Bonny National Grammar School (BNGS), assuring that he would ensure it is done before the end of his tenure come Monday, May 29, 2023.

Addressing a mammoth crowd of his party’s supporters during the rally, Wike said God has decided to bless the Ibani people by having their son as Governor of the State, asserting that no amount of scheming can stop the process, reminding the Bonny People that apart from the gubernatorial candidate; all the elective representation positions in the party have been zoned to Bonny LGA.

Assuring that his party would deliver all three of them, he pointed out that the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, Cyril Hart and Victor Oko-Jumbo, are the party’s candidates for Rivers West Senatorial District, Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, and Bonny Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Speaking on behalf of the party’s candidates for the various elective positions, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo thanked the party for the confidence reposed in them to fly the party’s flag during the elections and subsequently in the various legislative chambers when they win, promising the people of Bonny of better days ahead with the trio representing their interests at the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly.

On his part, the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP, Siminialayim Fubara promised to construct the Bonny internal roads when he assumes office as Governor of the State, informing that aside being an Ibani son, he has his root in Dublin Green Chieftaincy House of Bonny Kingdom, assuring that his social contract with his kinsmen was inalienable and his victory would be a win for the LGA.

In her remarks, the Chairman of Bonny LGA, Dame Anengi Barasua thanked Governor Wike for his positive disposition towards affirmative action and gender equity for women which, according to her served as the plank upon which she emerged as head of government in the LGA, stressing that the performance of the PDP in Bonny LGA in the last one year was a worthy credential to influence the party’s all-round victory come February 25 and March 11, 2023 general elections.

Responding, the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, JP, DSSRS, Perekule XI thanked the Governor for the emergence of Siminialayim Fubara, saying that Bonny Kingdom will align with his aspiration, noting that this was the closest Bonny had come to the seat of governor of Rivers State.

The former Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers went on to pronounce blessings and assurance of victory at the polls for Sim Fubara and his party.

Highlight of the rally was the handover of the party’s flag to Victor Oko-Jumbo, the PDP House of Assembly candidate for Bonny Constituency.