The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peterside

  • Nigeria is undergoing turbulence, says Peterside

    Nigeria is undergoing turbulence, says Peterside

    •APC candidate to church: support God-fearing leadership 

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has said the country is undergoing turbulence.

    The APC candidate spoke at the 34th Diocesan Synod of the Methodist Church of Nigeria in Port Harcourt at the weekend. Speaking to ministers and the congregation, Peterside drew attention of the church to Proverbs 29:2, which says that when the righteous rule, the people rejoice and when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

    He called on the Church and Christians to participate in politics so that people who do not mean well for society are not voted into office.

    Peterside told the gathering that Christians must consciously seek elective positions and also be ready to exercise their franchise by voting on election days for only candidates who are God-fearing and visionary.

    “Christians must be in politics. If we leave politics for only politicians, then those who do not mean well for society will take over our affairs. Therefore as Christians, we must be diligent.

    “Let nobody be deceived. What happens on election day will determine what happens to our country, so the church must not shy away from politics. In choosing leaders, we must not be sentimental. It is not about our brother and a stranger, it is about our life and future. It is a sin to support a leader who cannot protect the lives of his people, a corrupt leader or a leader who oppresses his people. Our choice must be guided by reason.

    “Our country is undergoing turbulence, so when we vote, it must not be about church, religion, ethnic group or region. We must vote to improve our condition. Everybody agrees that Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has done well for the people of Rivers State. Some people may not like his style but that does not diminish his great achievements. Is it fair, if at the end of Amaechi’s administration we bring somebody who says he will destroy all that he has done? Amaechi has laid the foundation and we must build on that. We want a God-fearing man. Some people boast of their connection but as ministers of God, you know that darkness will not reign over our state. I have plans for our Rivers State, I am an agent of Christ and I am prepared to do His will.

    “Archbishop, the onus is on you to encourage your congregation to vote according to their conscience because what matters is not the party but the individual. So let the church take a stand, let the church not be docile because decisions of government affect the church.

    Most Reverend Chimezuo Nwankpa, Archbishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, Methodist Church of Nigeria urged Christians to take active part in politics.

    “Methodist Church wants more Christians to join politics. Politics is good, only the players give politics a bad name. We should play politics well and bring the fear of God. Christians must join politics and make its name good.

    “I have called on my members to get their PVCs and be ready to vote because I have my own PVC. I will continue to support Christians in politics to do the right thing. What is important to us is the betterment of Rivers State and Nigeria. If there is no peace, we cannot serve God or move freely. I thank you for coming and may God preserve you and see you through”.

    The Archbishop and the ministers later prayed for Peterside and wished him well in his endeavours.

    Also speaking at the 71st birthday thanksgiving service of the Presiding Bishop of Overcomers Ministries, Rt. Rev. Ombo Isokariari, Peterside lamented that Nigeria was facing a lot of challenges, which had led to social vices.

    “We need the power of God’s presence to fight corruption and take the nation out of backwardness.

    “When we have the presence of God in affairs of our state, no challenge will set us back or consume us.”

    According to Peterside, Nigerians cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different result.

    He advised Christians to have a new approach to doing things to enthrone a leadership whose character and actions would reflect the will of God.

    Also at the Hilltop Christian Centre, Peterside told the congregation that as an adult, he had never belonged to any secret cult.

    “What matters most is as members of the body of Christ, we must stand up against evil and speak out in the face of frustration for what is right,” he said.

    The Senior Pastor of the church, Pastor Chris Oarhe,  said leadership was not a joke but a responsibility.

    He urged Christians to pray for those in authority always.

  • Count Peterside out of violence, says Campaign Council

    Count Peterside out of violence, says Campaign Council

    The Greater Together Campaign Organisation (GTCO) has debunked claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, had a hand in the alleged attack on its governorship candidate last Saturday. The campaign organisation not only described the allegation against Dr. Peterside as “tissue of lies and libellous provocation”, but accused PDP of seeking an infamous route to escape its summons before Nemesis.

    A statement by its Director of Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said the PDP stage-managed the “attack” – if it ever occurred – to rope in APC and its governorship candidate.

    The statement reads: “This tissue of lies and libellous provocation is wicked and callous, and should be disregarded. PDP couldn’t be visiting gross violence on Rivers State and its people only to turn back and pass the buck. We state categorically that Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, who has run an issue-based campaign, has no reason to direct his supporters or participate directly in any sort of pre-, during and post-election violence, let alone organise armed attack. The PDP, with no agenda for Rivers people, has resorted to mudslinging, but as responsible as he is, Dr. Peterside would not be caught in their trap. The APC governorship candidate remains what Rivers people know him to be – a gentleman with no record of violence; a decent man who respects the sanctity of life; a Christian who believes that God makes kings; a governorship candidate with the change message.”

    “PDP must have envisaged that ongoing police investigation into armed attacks, assassination of APC supporters and members and other politically-motivated violence in Rivers State,  would turn in a damaging indictment on it, and so as a diversionary tactic to misdirect the police, had stage-managed the said Bakana attack. PDP in Rivers State is never tired of mischief and can fabricate any to achieve its aim. We are the least surprised at this new tale”.

    “We blame PDP for presenting such a liability that is Wike for an exalted office as that of Governor. If Wike was the best PDP could present to Rivers people to elect as their governor, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should reconsider its status as a political party.”

     

     

  • No evil man ‘ll lead Rivers, says Peterside

    No evil man ‘ll lead Rivers, says Peterside

    The  governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has said no evil man will lead the state.

    The APC governorship candidate spoke during a prayer session at Timber Market, Oyigbo, Port Harcourt at the weekend.

    He told the traders that God alone gives power and that in fullness of time, God’s choice would be revealed.

    ”Men will boast that they have power. They will say they are connected to secret societies. They will say they have influence. They boast daily here in Rivers State about their Federal connection and about how they are oppressing and intimidating their opponents.

    ‘In APC, we boast only about our God, the ancient of days, The I am that I am, The Lion of the tribe of Judea and Jehovah Jireh, so we are not intimidated.

    ”God is interested in Rivers State because of the cry of the children of God. Because He is interested in Rivers State, no evil man will lead this state. Because God is interested in this state, He will not give our state to those who will harass and intimidate non-indigenes. Because God is interested in Rivers State, no tout will rule over our state. Anybody who will put our people in pain will never rule over us. Only God fearing person who will be committed to improving the lives of Rivers people will be voted for.

    ”Our governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has tried for us. He built world-class schools, health centres and provided opportunities for our people without any form of discrimination.  Anybody running for the office of the governor because he wants to destroy Governor Amaechi’s legacies will not succeed. We all know that some person’s only interest in government is to steal more money and impose more taxes on you but we will not allow that.”

    The Chairman, Timber Market Association, Chief Livinus Chike said members of his association were working and praying for Peterside. He urged  the candidate to be steadfast and to continue reaching out to his supporters.

    Speaking at a Town Hall Meeting with new voters in Rivers State which held at Dr. Obi-Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt. The APC candidate who described creativity, talent and innovation as virtues closely associated with youth, warned that a people or government that ignored its young people, do so at its own risk.

    He promised to protect the interest of the youth by investing heavily in education, entertainment, sports, arts, agro-allied sector, expansion of ICT platforms, capacity building and skills enhancement programmes, among others.

    “I will work for you. I will serve you and I will deal with your concerns. If anybody wants your votes, let him tell you how he will provide you with education, employment, prosperity and hope. As a party, we recognise the fact that you are an asset to us. That is the reason we must address issues of interest to you.

    “The reality today is that an average young man or woman who graduates may not have a job in the next 10 years. Yet, some of you are talented actors, footballers and entertainers. For instance, in this hall, there are youths who can excel in the most competitive football leagues in the world and there are also actors here who are future Oscar winners.

    “I know that some of you are very brilliant but you have not been given the right opportunity. We will continue with the scholarship, bursary and educational programmes of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. But we will introduce a scholarship scheme for indigent students. I promise that under our watch, no child will be denied access to education.”

    Some of the youth expressed confidence in Peterside, describing him as a competent administrator who couldbe relied upon.

  • Why we’re backing Peterside, by NGO

    Why we’re backing Peterside, by NGO

    A Port Harcourt-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Generation of Peace (GOP), has said the group is backing Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside, because the stakes for this year’s elections are high.

    The NGO, through its spokesman, Amakiri Amakuro, spoke in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    Amakuro described Peterside as a candidate carrying the wishes and hopes of every Rivers residents.

    The spokesman noted that it would amount to a disservice to the future generations, if the young and forward-looking people of Rivers State backed another candidate.

    According to him, the APC candidate was a summary of the wishes and aspirations of the people of the oil-rich state which, among other things, included peace, visionary leadership, equity, justice, fear of God and transparency.

    Amakuro said: “Peterside is a man of peaceful disposition, a strong character with very high integrity, efficient and a very intelligent young man.

    “When he was commissioner of works in Rivers State, we could count over 300 roads that he started and finished. He is honest and he is a man of his word. He is also humble and reaches out to everybody – big or small, rich or poor.

    “He abhors all forms of violence and has distanced himself from all manner of aggression and do-or-die politics. We are supporting him because we are afraid of going back to another era of grave in security in Rivers State. There was a time in this state when we were compelled to lift our hands as our state was a theatre of war. It was a state under siege.

    “This is also why we are supporting the APC candidate. He has a track record of always working for peace. In his constituency and among students in our state, he remains a role model, loved and appreciated.

    “So, he stands out as the only candidate that is accessible to students and the youth like us. He is also the only one who can consolidate on the peace and development of the Rotimi Amaechi administration.

    “Let me use this opportunity to call on the people of Rivers State, particularly the youth, to cast their votes for Peterside.

    “As an organisation that stands for peace, I also wish to call on political actors to eschew bitterness and violence by following the path of peace. I enjoin security agencies to stand in defence of the masses by providing a level-playing field for all contestants.”

  • Okrika violence: Peterside promises scholarships for slain policeman’s children

    Okrika violence: Peterside promises scholarships for slain policeman’s children

    Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside has assured that the four children of 33-year-old police corporal, Ifeanyi Okorie, who was shot dead in Okrika last Tuesday, will benefit from the government’s scholarships till they complete their education.

    The children, aged six, four, three and two and their 30-year-old mother, Gift, a police corporal, would not be allowed to suffer, Peterside said.

    The APC candidate spoke at the weekend in Port Harcourt, the state capital, at the home of the Okories, behind the Kala Police Station, off Ikwerre Road, when he and other party chieftains visited the widow.

    Peterside, who was represented by his running mate, Okorie Honourable Asita, was accompanied by the state APC Chairman Davies Ibiamu Ikanya; the Director-General of Peterside’s Greater Together Campaign Organisation, Chief Victor Tombari Giadom; Commissioner for Agriculture, Emma Chindah and APC leader in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Chief Tony Okocha, among other eminent personalities.

    Ifeanyi was shot dead last Tuesday at the playground of the National School, Okrika, venue of Peterside’s rally.

    The peaceful ceremony was disrupted with explosions and gunshots by suspected thugs allegedly working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Over 50 persons were injured and several property destroyed.

    The body of the slain policeman is still at the morgue of the government-owned Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) in Port Harcourt. Arrangements are being made for his burial.

    Peterside said: “Your (Gift’s) husband laid down his life for the sake of Nigeria and democracy. We did not expect what happened in Okrika. We went to campaign but some criminals killed your husband in the presence of all of us. Even though you are mourning and crying, we owe him a debt of gratitude for the role he played in Okrika.

    “We will stand by you and your children. We will not forget you. We are all parents and we feel the weight of what happened. We feel the pressure that his death will expose you to. We know what you are going through. God will comfort you.

    “We are pleading with you to take the responsibility with courage and boldness, thereby moving forward. You need to brace yourself to the challenge. We will support you.

    “Your children will go to school and be trained properly. We are very proud of your husband.

    “APC leaders and members do not want violence. Serving the people should not be by force but through elections. Let the people freely decide the persons they want to serve them, not through violence, shooting, killing people, bombing, burning vehicles and houses.”

    Ikanya described the Okrika attack as unprovoked and condemnable.

    The APC chairman said four people were being treated at the hospital in Port Harcourt while 20 injured persons had been discharged.

    Mrs Okorie expressed gratitude to APC leaders for the visit and assistance.

    The widow described her husband as a fighter, who was always  wanted peace to reign in Rivers State and Nigeria.

    Mrs Okorie, an indigene of Cross River State, who married her late husband in 2008, said his death was painful.

    The policewoman was optimistic that God would bring peace to Rivers State and other parts of Nigeria.

    She said: “I knew him as a fighter. He always stood on the good side. He fought for peace to reign.”

    Peterside, a member of the House of Representatives, his allies and supporters narrowly escaped death at the Okrika rally.

    Okrika, the headquarters of Okrika Local Government Area, is the hometown of the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, and the leader of the Niger Delta Vigilance Movement, “General” Ateke Tom.

  • Peterside unveils agenda to professional bodies

    Peterside unveils agenda to professional bodies

    Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr Dakuku Peterside has unveiled his agenda to professional bodies.

    At a round table, tagged: Business Rivers, Peterside, according to a statement yesterday by his Director of Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, urged professionals to be active in politics.

    The interaction brought together over 30 professional bodies, technocrats, civil society groups, politicians, scholars, business men and women.

    He said since government policies affect everybody professionals should not leave governance to career politicians.

    The APC candidate articulated his blueprint known as the Road Map to Prosperity. Peterside, who was accompanied by his wife, Elima, running mate, Honourable Asita, party chairman, Davies Ikanya and members of his campaign organisation, said he would secure lives and properties, increase economic activity in Rivers State, create jobs, attract investments, boost tourism and run a government on the principles of rule of law.

     He said: “When people are empowered economically, their quality of life improves; they will visit the hospital when they are ill and engage the services of a lawyer when their rights are infringed upon. When they want to build a house because of the income at their disposal, they engage the architect, the engineer and the quantity surveyor. The truth is that all of us benefit when society prospers.

    “What are the things that must be in place to engender this prosperity that we all seek? Fortunately for us, we have a governor who has in the last seven years taken care of the fundamentals, so we will not dwell so much on that. Foundational issues have already been taken care of by this administration.”

     The APC candidate, who described security as an important ingredient of growth, said investments only go to places that were safe and secure. He promised to provide security in addition to engendering conducive physical and regulatory.

    Peterside, who was a former Commissioner of Works, promised to deploy relevant skills and experiences from the private sector, especially in this era of falling oil prices and uncertainties. His government, he insisted, would create wealth, provide opportunities for the people and provide loans at one digit interest rate. He added that his government as a matter of fact, would simplify government business by bringing services closer to the people.

     He pleaded with the people to be guided by reason, adding that emotion never led anyone far. He called on the people to be circumspect under this circumstance where the choices crystal clear. APC, he said, was the direction Nigerians were headed, therefore Rivers State must go in that direction for a bright and secure future.

  • Why Peterside is Rivers best choice

    It is said Rivers State is the most ethnically diverse State in Nigeria, in fact, it is so diverse every 30-50 miles you travel in the state, you’ll meet people speaking different languages. For such multi-ethnic state to be stable, the ethnicities must have devised a way of co-existence socio-politically.  Yes, we have done so democratically by respecting the rights of every ethnicity including the minorities among us.

    From the inception of political parties in the state in 1979, the ethnicities were divided into upland and riverine regions by the NPN under the leadership of Late Chief Melford Okilo, the first democratically elected governor of the state. This later gave rise to the upland/riverine dichotomy. With the creation of Bayelsa State out of the Old Rivers State, that political division gave way to the present three senatorial districts namely: Rivers West, Rivers East, and Rivers South-East senatorial districts. The map of each senatorial district maintained the upland/riverine dichotomy for fairness, equity, and peace. This meant, the boundaries of the major and minor ethnicities that constituted the upland/riverine were cut across to create each senatorial district. Again, for equity, fairness, and peace, the senators from every senatorial district has rotated between the Upland and Riverine ethnicities.

    The governor of Rivers State since 1999 has originated from the senatorial districts: Governor Peter Odili is from Rivers West Senatorial District and the current Governor Chibuike Amaechi is from Rivers East Senatorial District. However, both of them are from the upland ethnicities giving our upland brothers and sisters 16 years of control of the state governorship while the riverine ethnicities held the deputy governor position.

    Following the above logic, Governor Amaechi and the state All Progressives Congress (APC) party made two correct decisions in selecting Hon. Dakuku Peterside to be its gubernatorial flag bearer for Rivers State. First, Peterside is from the Rivers South-East Senatorial District that is next to produce a governor for the state. Second, he is from a riverine ethnicity to balance the upland ethnicities’ dominance of the state governorship. He has in turn picked an upland representative from the Rivers West Senatorial District as his running mate.

    This APC solution to the uniquely Rivers State socio-political situation is the best that shows maturity, political balance, and intellectual brilliance in comparison to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) alternative Nyesom Wike that is thoughtless, disrespectful, and irresponsible to say the least.

    Let us now scrutinize what the PDP has offered the state in Wike that made me describe their actions as I just did. As I intimated earlier, two of the three senatorial districts (Rivers West and Rivers East) have produced state governors and the next governor should emanate from Rivers South-East Senatorial District to be fair and equitable. Instead of doing this, PDP went back to Rivers East Senatorial District to pick Wike as their gubernatorial flag bearer. Besides, he is an Ikwerre man like the current governor in total violation of the above unique Rivers solution to our peaceful ethnic diversity. I read this is also one of the root causes of Amaechi/Wike saga and space does not allow me to go into any details of that.

    A few questions I’ll pose presently will encapsulate some of my concerns and make you see that the PDP has lost their moral compass and sense of decency. It buttresses the narrative of entitlement and culture of impunity forgetting they are only given the privilege to serve the nation as long as they have.

    The following questions are pertinent: Do they think Rivers State consists of only the Ikwerre ethnicity? Does it dawn on them that the other ethnicities of our multi-ethnic state deserve to be governors? By manipulating the system for Wike to emerge, do they know that such electoral tampering was an insult to the intelligence of the Rivers People?

    It is really true, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.

    Further, let us review very closely what the PDP, President Jonathan, and vicariously, Wike have done for Rivers State and the Rivers people to earn their vote again, because just being a brother does not put food on the people’s table. Currently, there is no federal project in Rivers State and there has never been any since President Jonathan took office.

    Rivers State was the top Crude Oil/Natural Gas producing state, but under President Jonathan and the PDP, the state is now the third or fourth largest producer because they have given the state’s oil wells to Bayelsa, Abia, and Akwa Ibom states

    President Jonathan has taken federal projects that late President Umaru Yar’Adua allocated to Rivers State and moved them to Bayelsa State like the Nigerian Law School, relocated from Port-Harcourt to Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

    The Port-Harcourt International Airport was torn down to be expanded and beautified by President Jonathan and the PDP and for over two years now the reconstruction remains abandoned while the President is going around the country opening new and other reconstructed International Airports in Birni-Kebbi, Enugu, and other cities

    The two oil refineries in Eleme are operating only at 20%-30% capacity when they can be restored to full capacity and provide well-paying jobs to the Rivers People.

    Instead of President Jonathan bringing the South-south regional governors together frequently and work with them to economically develop the region, bring industry, commerce, and transportation infrastructures like major coastal highways, rail, and develop the Nigerian Water Front between Calabar and Lagos,  the President was busy fighting them, and undermining the governors and the states apparatus. Now at the end of six years, he has done nothing for the region, the people, and the states. What a wasted opportunity?

    Under President Jonathan, the Ijaw people are more divided than they have ever been because for him, doing that was easier than getting them together to meet their demand for jobs, education, health-care, security, entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, housing, and what have you. In effect, if the President was working well with the Rivers Ijaw leadership and people, Wike will never have the audacity to challenge their turn to produce a governor.

    What President Jonathan and the PDP has not done for Rivers State and the Rivers people in six years with all those excess crude oil revenue, they cannot do in four with falling crude oil price. In my opinion, six years was good enough for the President to showcase his vision, his ideas, strategy, competence, projects, resolve, and performance. The point then is, there is nothing new we can reasonably expect from this President, his PDP, and gubernatorial candidate for Rivers. They have outlived their usefulness and must be voted out. It is time for a change.

    Finally, I urge every registered voter in Rivers State to go out on February 14, to cast their vote because every vote matters. If the PDP offer money, take it, vote your conscience, don’t be sheepishly driven by sentiment and emotion, but use your sagacity and let this discuss inform your vote. And whatever you do, please vote for Hon. Dakuku Peterside/APC, the candidate for the right reasons of equity, peace, and stability in Rivers State.

     

    • Prof Amaye-Obu M.D. writes from New York, United States.

  • I’ll ensure accelerated development of Rivers, says Peterside

    I’ll ensure accelerated development of Rivers, says Peterside

    Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside, has promised accelerated development of the state.

    The APC candidate also promised to promote love and unity, if he wins the April 11 election.

    He vowed to be a good ambassador of Opobo Kingdom, if elected governor.

    Peterside made the promises at the weekend when he visited the paramount ruler of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja.

    The PAC candidate, who is a member of the House of Representatives, hails from Biriye Polo, in the coastal Opobo, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.

    The 44-year-old Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), said he would protect the interest of the people.

  • ‘Peterside ’ll excel in Rivers’

    ‘Peterside ’ll excel in Rivers’

    The Director-General of the Dakuku Peterside Campaign Organisation, Chief Victor Giadom, in this interview with BISI OLANIYI, explains why the All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the governorship election in Rivers State. He also speaks about how the standard bearer, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, will build on the legacies of Governor Rotimi Amaechi and other issues.

    Can  the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer,  Nyesom Wike, at the general elections in Rivers State?

    It is common knowledge that Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon.  Rotimi Amaechi, has done well in the last eight years. It is imperative that we have a successor, who is properly schooled in leadership. We know that the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, is a former Commissioner for Works in Rivers State and he has what it takes to maintain the legacies of our performing and focused governor, the  Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Director-General of Buhari Campaign Organisation.

    He has been in the House of Representatives. I know that he has no other option, but to perform much better than Amaechi. It is the dream of every father to have a son that will do better than him.

    We are confident that one of the things we will achieve from the candidature of Peterside is improved and quality governance in Rivers State. So, we feel very proud and extremely honoured that our candidate will do the very best. You should expect the best from the Rivers APC’s governorship candidate, when he eventually wins the election. God willing, he will be inaugurated as the governor of Rivers State on May 29 this year.

    Dr. Peterside and his campaign team are not bothered about the noise being made by Nyesom Wike, the immediate past Minister of State for Education and his few supporters. They may depend on guns, bombs, thugs, dynamites, federal might, President Jonathan and his wife. But, we will continue to put our trust only in God and rely on the support of Rivers people,  who are ready to massively vote for Dr. Peterside.

    What is your assessment of the campaign so far?

    We have campaigned in some of the 23 local government areas of Rivers State. I am assuring Rivers people that Dr. Peterside will campaign in all the 23 local governments. Our campaign have been successful and will continue to be successful. We are focusing on issues and not abusing people or attacking personalities, the way PDP leaders are doing. We are on course. We will continue to leverage on our performance. We know that we have done well; to drive home our message and it will not be difficult for the electorate to embrace our  our candidate.

    Wike has made some allegations against Governor Amaechi and Peterside. How will you disabuse the minds of the people before the elections?

    I know that members of the public, especially Rivers people, are aware of the truth. They know that the government of Amaechi has done well in the past eight years. As Commissioner for Works, Dr. Peterside performed impressively before moving to the House of Representatives, where he is currently representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency. He is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) and he is doing well in that regard.

    Are you comfortable leading Peterside’s Campaign Organisation?

    This is not new to me. By the grace of God, I successfully led the Presidential campaign in Rivers State in 2011. This is not a new terrain to me. I know what to do to also deliver Dr. Peterside on election day. I have my strategies and a very strong team of eminent personalities, who are highly experienced in politics. I am focused and I know that God will give us victory.

    Don’t you think the reconciliation in the PDP will affect the chances of the APC at the poll?

    We are not looking for people who are aggrieved in the PDP, but if they feel that they can find their future in the APC, we will not stop them. We have a membership that can drive the success of our great party, the APC. We have the kind of membership that will give us victory.

  • Igbo are good neighbours, says Peterside

    Igbo are good neighbours, says Peterside

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State Dr. Dakuku Peterside has hailed the Igbo in the state for their industry and good neigbourliness.

    He spoke when he visited Eze Adiele Maduagwu, Eze Ndigbo Rivers and Bayelsa states at his palace in Port Harcourt.

    The APC candidate was accompanied by his running mate, Asita Honourable; chairman of APC, Chief Davies Ibiam Ikanya; members of Greater Together Campaign Organisation and party supporters.

    Peterside told the monarch that he was in his palace to brief him on his political journey  and to pay respect to the Igbo, their culture and tradition. He praised the Igbo entrepreneurial spirit, describing them as good neighbours and supporters of Rivers State’s economy.

    “The Igbo and Rivers people have peacefully cohabited from time immemorial. All of us were once part of what used to be called Eastern Nigeria. If the Rivers man has any true brother, it is the Igbo. Even today, some persons want to rewrite history. Beyond that, even before the Civil War, our parents told us that the Igbo have always been the pillar that holds Rivers State’s economy. Without the Igbo, our economy will not flourish and anybody who wants to turn truth upside down will not succeed.

    “After the Nigerian Civil War, when our fathers were trying to rebuild the state and rebuild our economy, the Igbo were also on hand to help rebuild our state and our economy. So they are an important part of our society, nobody can deny that fact. If anybody is trying to deny that fact, then the person is being very uncharitable, unkind and I know God does not like injustice, God does not like lies.

    “If before, those who helped to build the economy were neglected, we can’t afford to neglect them today because if we do, they will go elsewhere and help other people build their economy and our own will go down.  I don’t think that is what we want. And so, we must respect those who live with us, those who contribute to our economy, those who render service, those who pay tax here and those who add value to our society. I am proud to say that the Igbo add value to what we are doing in Rivers State, the Igbo contribute to the building of our economy and the Igbo man has been a good brother and a good neighbour.”

    Peterside called on the Igbo to be guided properly by realities as they vote in this month’s elections.

    “As we march into these elections, there are many candidates running for the office of the governor but the Igbo know which one will be good for them and the one that will not be good for them. They don’t need soap to wash their eyes well to know.

    “They can see, especially if you look at our antecedents. I was Commissioner for Works in Rivers State, I was special assistant to the governor in Rivers State, I am a member of the National Assembly, I was a local government chairman. People who know my path can say that I respect elders, I respect traditional institution, I have integrity, I respect laws, I fear God. They know that about me. I wish they can say the same about others who are contesting with me.

    “For others, you know them. You know that if you give them opportunity, they will intimidate and harass people, they will promote hatred and violence. Your Highness, I don’t think that is what you want and I don’t think that is what the Igbo want.”

    Eze Maduagwu described Peterside as a humble and God-fearing candidate.