Yesterday marked a significant moment of celebration, camaraderie, and political maturity as the leader of the Southern Ijaw WARD 13 APC, Honourable Joseph Ede Alakere, paid a cordial visit to Chief Honourable Kia Ebidoughebofa Nigeria at his residence in Yenagoa. The atmosphere was warm and symbolic, reflecting a renewed bond of brotherhood and unity within the political family of Opuama Kingdom.
Honourable Alakere explained that the visit was not only necessary but long overdue, especially following the recent defection of the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri. He recalled that during that period, Chief Kia who is a senior figure and a frontline leader of the PDP demonstrated humility by visiting him at his residence in Yenagoa, and again in Opuama with his supporters.
According to Alakere, “It is rare for an elder brother to visit his younger one in such a manner, and that gesture alone speaks volumes.” This, he said, made it important for him to reciprocate and further cement their relationship. He noted that although it is his weekly tradition to travel home to Opuama every weekend, he chose to remain in Yenagoa specifically to sit, interact, and strengthen ties with his elder brother, Chief Honourable Kia.
Speaking further, Honourable Joseph Alakere advised both long standing APC members and newly defected members to work as one united family. He stressed that the interest of Opuama must always come first, far above personal ambitions or political lines. “Opuama is one people,” he said, “and our collective development should be our priority.”
On their part, the former PDP members also emphasized that it is not always healthy for every citizen or community to belong to a single political platform. They noted that the progress that Opuama enjoys today was partly due to healthy competition between the APC and PDP, each contributing in their own way. What matters now, they explained, is a shared commitment to the continued development of Opuama Kingdom.
Chief Honourable Kia Ebidoughebofa Nigeria, in his response, expressed deep appreciation for the visit. He assured all that he has no intention of causing division within the APC, stressing that unity is the only path forward. He described Opuama as a “complex place” with a long history of autonomous political structures. Anyone who can successfully manage the people of Opuama, he said, can succeed anywhere in Bayelsa State and even Nigeria at large.
Kia also commended Honourable Alakere for his remarkable efforts in building and sustaining the APC structure across Ward 13 in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. He added that in every new environment, respect must be given to those who laid the foundation before others arrived. He clarified that he is not in the APC to compete for leadership positions, but to join hands with all stakeholders to move Opuama forward.
He further cautioned their supporters against unnecessary rivalry or statements that could create disunity. Political loyalty, he said, must not be defined by temporary alignments or proximity to leaders. “That some persons stood beside Nigeria Kia today should not make others claim that Joseph Alakere's supporters now loyal to Kia, or vice versa. Leadership in Opuama is collective. No single person leads a community to success. But together, many leaders can build greatness,” he said.
Both leaders concluded by urging all supporters to avoid actions or utterances that may ignite conflict, and to remain focused on peace, unity, and the development of Opuama Kingdom. Over the years, they have all worked for others, and now is the time for Opuama people to work for themselves and for their homeland.
TEAM JOE MEDIA
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