.. begs Ogonis to vote all APC candidates.
Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Architect Tonye Cole has publicly apologized to the people of Ogoni ethnic nationality, over the unfortunate execution of the renowned Ogoni environmentalist, Ken Saro-Wiwa.
He said it is regrettable for the Ogonis to have suffered such ill-treatment in the past, adding that they deserve no just a better life but also an apology from the Nigerian state.
Tonye Cole who knelt down on the podium to beg the Ogoni for forgiveness, made the public apology in Bori, while speaking at the flag-off of the khana Local Government Area, All Progressives Congress Campaign.
“This land deserves much more than what it is getting, Ogoni deserves more than what it is getting. I am standing here today to tell you, that you will get everything that you deserve”.
“I won’t tell you I know everything, I won’t tell you I have all the answers, but one thing I know is that Nigeria, this country needs to apologize to you, for the ill-treatment in the past; this I know!”
“Today, I kneel down before you, before every Ogoni man and woman here and beg that you should forgive this nation. I say forgive them for the treatment, forgive them for the blood that has been spilt here, forgive Nigeria, forgive Rivers State, forgive everybody for how they have treated you”
Pastor Tonye Cole assured the people that he will champion the cause for a better life, transformation and improved opportunities for Ogoniland, if given the opportunity to govern Rivers State.
The Rivers APC governorship hopeful praised the courageous and resilient spirit of the people, noting that the audacity and sacrifices of the people of Ogoni, especially the ultimate sacrifice paid by Ken Saro-Wiwa, has given voice to the voiceless and hope for a brighter future, especially for the younger generation.
“Let me speak to the Ogoni spirit; this state, Rivers State has a lot to thank you for. The courage of the Ogoni man, the courage of the Ogoni woman, I want to say thank you, thank you. If not for your fight, if not for Ken Saro-Wiwa’s fight, there won’t have been any voice in Ogoniland today, there wouldn’t have been any future for your children, I would not have been able to stand here to talk to you”.
“Ogoni courage is one of the strongest things we have seen. You fought when no one believed in you, Ken Saro-Wiwa talked when nobody believed he will. The spirit of Ogoni stood tall when no one believed there was a place called Ogoni. That’s why today we are here, that’s why today people can remember you”.
Tonye Cole decried the decay in educational infrastructure in khana Local Government area, observing that the people are gradually loosing hope in their government. He wondered why the government of the day is careless about the education of her citizens.
“I went to kaa, I went to the market, I saw a lady by name Queen. I asked if she would vote. Her answer was no. She said because the government has not done anything for her, she won’t vote”.
“As I was walking towards her shop, I saw one school, Government Secondary school, Kaa, that place, what I saw, words cannot explain. There is no school there, the secondary school has been abandoned. There is another one in Babbe, government secondary school Luawii, the place is abandoned. Why am I saying this, students, youths are very important to us”.
Pastor Tonye Cole highlighted that with the People’s collaborative efforts and their commitment to vote for the APC’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, himself and all APC candidates; their situation will change for the better.
