The political class in Bonny LGA have responded affirmatively to the injunction of the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom to sustain the age old legacy of peaceful elections in the area.

The Leader of the Ibani Race, a sub national to the larger Ijaw ethnic nationality, His Majesty, King Dr. Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, JP, DSSRS, Perekule XI, while addressing his guests at the 2022 King Perekule Annual Banquet held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at the King Perekule Palace, Bonny, called on politicians to ensure that elections remain peaceful in Bonny LGA.

Responding to Kristina Reports enquiries as to their reaction to the advice given by the revered Monarch, some candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP) affirmed the King’s position, assuring of their buy-in in that regard.

Our King Is Peaceful, Therefore Our Community Is Peaceful – PDP House of Reps Candidate, Cyril Hart

In his response, the House of Representatives candidate of the PDP for the Degema/Bonny federal constituency, Cyril Hart acknowledged the King’s statement that elections have always been peaceful in Bonny LGA, arrogating the situation to the peaceful disposition of the King and the mutual understanding among the political elite in the area.

“I completely agree with His Majesty, the King. In fact, this is a position I hold strongly. When I served as Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Bonny Local Government Area, I had the privilege of addressing the King and his Council of Chiefs wherein I reaffirmed that peace is capital and we must continue to promote it as Bonny people at all times and not just during elections.”

“In that event, I took time to share a discussion that ensued between my political leader, Amaopusenibo Hon. Rodaford Longjohn, and the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Barr. E. N. Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS Africa and Life Bencher.”

“The Governor of Rivers State, after the 2015 elections, asked my political leader; Hon. Rodaford Longjohn, how Bonny Local Government Area elects their leaders during elections without any fight or bloodshed.

“You cannot have the presence of three major multinationals with robust economic activities in the face of gross neglect and deprivation and in a community with very energetic youths and not have crises. How you have been able to contain these security issues remains a mystery to all winners of Nobel Peace Prize,” the Governor said.

“Does the King libate to restrain everyone from fighting?” the Governor further asked.

“And Hon. Rodaford answered, “The King does not pour libations before, during or after elections; in fact, the King does not interfere in politics; and that the King sees everyone as his son and daughter.”

“Hon. Rodaford further told the Governor; that the peace we see in Bonny is a reflection of the character of the King, his Council of Chiefs and, indeed, the political leaders. If the King and political leaders are violent, then the supporters will be violent, and that will give birth to a violent elections.

“Your Majesty, the summary of that conversation is this: because our King is peaceful therefore our community is peaceful.

“Your Majesty, wherever we find ourselves, let us continue to tell the Bonny story; of how the Traditional Institution can be used to foster peace and development in Nigeria.”

We Support the Position of our dear Monarch – SDP Senatorial Candidate, Dagogo Green

Meanwhile, the senatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the Rivers West Senatorial District, Dagogo Green, in his reaction, reiterated the readiness and support of him and his party to the Monarch,

Green told Kristina Reports that his party had resolved to be law abiding, before, during and after the elections and follow the laid down rules of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“I totally agree and support the position of our dear monarch. We, in SDP, have resolved to be law abiding by following approved procedure for elections by INEC. Support the efforts of law enforcement agencies to promote peace before, during and after the general elections. Trusting God for a peaceful and successful election devoid of rancour.”

Our Party’s Stance Against Violence in Line with Amanyanabo’s Position – PDP Assembly Candidate, Victor Oko-Jumbo

On his part, the House of Assembly candidate of PDP for Bonny Constituency, Victor Oko-Jumbo, in his response to Kristina Reports enquiry, asserted that he believes in peace and maintains cordial relationship with other party candidates.

Oko-Jumbo stated that he is well known for his peaceful disposition and has always worked to maintain peace with his political opponents over the years, stressing that election is not war and should not be perceived as such, noting that politics of war and violence will not yield any good fruit to the Kingdom.

“I’m one of the people that believes in one Bonny and one Kingdom. I try to maintain cordial relationship with the candidates of other parties. Our party made it clear that the electoral system does not condone any form of violence. I’m working in line with the Monarch. Peace is priceless and we must maintain peace.”

Our Homogeneity is a Mighty Advantage for Peace – APC House of Reps Candidate, Kingsley Hart

In his response to Kristina Reports query, the House of Representatives candidate of the APC for the Degema/Bonny federal constituency, Kingsley Fubara Hart pointed out that the fact that Bonny people are interconnected by historical antecedents and other social linkages is a big advantage for purveying peace in the land, maintaining that such should be consciously protected from any form of violence.

Responding on behalf of his principal, the Chairman of the Kingsley Fubara Hart Campaign Organization, Darlington Banigo stressed the need for peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in the Bonny Kingdom, stating that his principal is ever ready for peaceful elections.

“All Bonny people are somewhat connected to one another, either by historical antecedents or by social contacts like marriages, clubs, etc. Our homogeneity is a mighty advantage, and so, if you like, you protect it”

Banigo added that “my principal, Amaopusenibo Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart is a man of peace, who abhors any form or manner of violence; and our political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a violence-free party”.