Sexy Images from the 2014- 2015 Nigerian Political Campaign and Election Cycle.

                                                                                                                                   

A silken, dark chocolate femininity oozes from in this picture of Professor Remi Sonaiya, Professor of French Language and Linguistics and the only female Presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2015 elections, and, to the best of my knowledge, the second of two female Presidential hopefuls  in Nigeria’s history.

The job she sought requires a range of skills and qualities, one of which is physical presence, a sense of charisma.

What kind of presence is projected here?

What strikes me in this picture  is the look of seasoning in harmony with feminine grace.

A bold gaze crowns an exquisite and mature smoothness of skin as the double layers of her dress both conceal and subtly reveal.

The transparent net of the topmost silken network is meant to direct the gaze to the glistening glow of rich brown skin flowing across her chest and arms, visible through gaps in the network like shafts of light piercing through narrow windows in a grand space.

The entire ensemble is crowned by the two mounds unique to the female members of the mammalian  species as they emerge in their sphericality from their resting place on the chest- yes- Presidential candidates may also have breasts, and rich looking ones too.

The coup de grace of her hair is revealed in the black braids sitting comfortably on her shoulder as they fall from the combination of black hair among which are markedly visible growths of white indicating the distance of the journey traveled so far that is expected to have seasoned the mind with vision and the body with power.

                                                                               

Prince Tonye Princewill at the height of his battle to find a place from which to contend for the gubernatorial elections for Rivers State.

Grooming unmistakable.

Dress sense impeccable.

Sense of class distinctive.

Physical form classical.

An embodiment of the determined and successful campaign to rebrand Presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari, in relation to his party the APC,  as a modern Nigerian icon in tune with positive aspirations of all generations of Nigerians, particularly youth who did not experience his last outing as dictatorial military head of state after coming to power through a coup.

The campaign avoided any reference to Buhari’s Islamic culture since the Northern Muslim vote was already secure through Buhari’s long identification as a Northern Muslim, which, along with his earlier empathic responses to Boko Haram Islamic terrorism meant decoupling  him from any association with Islamic extremism was a practically desperate necessity.

The campaign focused, therefore, on appealing to the secular, Westernized culture of Southern Nigerians, in general, and  youth, in particular, voters needed to complete the equation of voting blocs vital for electoral victory.

This image is the quintessence of the effort to sex up Buhari and his party the  APC, as it were.

The sexification of the APC emblem projected here is part of the sweeping away of the janjaweed/pro-Boko Haram/Islamic terrorism image APC struggled with.

The picture is a masterstroke of conception, using light in enhancing colour of skin and radiance of clothing, as the eye glasses magnify the political message by reflecting the APC broom emblem and party name underlined by the dominant color of red in the emblem, a red resonating with the patterning of the clothes and the bright red gele- Nigerian female headdress-of the woman, an evocative crimson further amplified through the potent red of the woman’s lips.

A full bodied form of bulging breasts, broad hips and bottom completes the sweet attack on the senses and mind by this image- a classic sexification of politics.

One of the richest pictures of Nigeria’s President Goodkuck Ebele Jonathan from the 2014-2015 campaign and election season, the most reliant on images in Nigerian history on account of the ubiquity of the Internet, complementing other visual media such  as television and newspapers.

The President’s relatively youthful image in comparison with  his challenger Muhammadu Buhari is projected here, against a framework of greenery illuminated by natural light complementing his smiling face, suggesting both tenderness and power as the solar illumination of the luxuriant but disciplined vegetation evokes his national transformation agenda in which the agricultural program, and according to one view, his anti-desertification program,  were among those particularity successful.

                                                

The magnificent Diezani K. Alison-Madueke, one of those creatures whose presence  testifies that the earth without women would have been an act of cruelty at the hands of God.

“Luscious”, as one commentator referred to her in celebrating her elevation as the first female OPEC President during her tenure as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources.

Highly accomplished academically and professionally, scoring various firsts in her career from her time in Shell to her work in the Nigerian government, she is perhaps the most gossiped about, the most speculated on figure in the cabinet of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan after the President himself.

Her grooming and dress sense are mouth watering.

Thoroughly Nigerian, yet projecting a globally powerful sense of beauty in her coutorial combination of colour and design.

The irrepressible Femi Fani-Kayode, FFK as he is iconically known, uncompromising missile of attack, either against President Jonathan and the PDP when was in the APC or against the APC when he crossed over to Jonathan and the PDP as the Presidential campaign entered a decisive phase.

In the ownership of Lagos controversy, the controversy over relationships with Igbo women as a demonstration of inter-ethnic identification, the branding of APC as a pro-Islamic terrorist party, the Buhari lack of secondary school certificate saga, among other fierce social and political struggles within and beyond the 2014-2015 election cycle, FFK has been in the thick of them all, his uncompromising  voice unmistakable for that of anyone else.

In this picture, we see the FFK who portrays himself as a man who knows how to live well as a man of the world and a political constant in Nigerian history, a man with much fire in him as he constellates a future most likely active with political daring and controversy.

My most memorable FFK moment was when, in response to those who attacked him for challenging an Igbo public figure who described Lagos as ‘No Man’s Land’,  as a cosmopolitan space belonging exclusively  to no ethnic group,  FFK, in the spirit of a Yoruba patriot  for whom Lagos’ Yoruba identity is sacrosanct, responded with an  impassioned essay critical of the role of  Ndigbo in Nigerian history.

His critics then tried to throw dirt on his family by painting them in terms of a culture of sexual abandon.

FFK responded by detailing  his history of  relationships with prominent Igbo women, most notoriously including Bianca Onoh before she became the wife of the Ikemba of Nnewi, the legendary Odumegwu Ojukwu, leader of Biafra in the Nigerian Cvil War in the Igbo centered struggle for freedom  from Nigeria.

While many reacted in horror to such a breach of confidence on FFK’s part, one of the women he mentioned in his amorous history responded that she did not see herself castigating FFK beceause he had been her mentor in public life in various ways.

Can there be a greater testimony to manhood than that?

The remarkable Stella Oduah, dynamic aviation minister, celebrated by some for remarkable creative development in the nation’s airports and vilified  by others for spending public funds on expensive bullet proof cars, the latter leading to her replacement as aviation minister after which she bounced back to win the Anambra North Senatorial seat.

Clearly a seasoned and canny politician.

What kind of mind seethes behind those sultry eyelashes,  the carefully oiled skin and the steady gaze capped by the crown like gele?

The eloquent red of rich lips glowing in unison with the matrix of rectangular constellations in a dance with a touch of yellow on flowing red broken by black lines on the suit jacket demonstrates another example of Nigerian female politicians and government appointees as embodying both power and beauty.

The unforgettable Rotimi Amaechi shown on the phone as he  perhaps engages in the endless political battles for which he became known as the central opponent of President Goodluck Jonathan in the South-East, in his role as governor of Rivers State,  as a nubile woman walks beside him, an image that suggests that even in the midst of struggles for power, beauty may be present.

His casually stylish dressing is complemented by the bright colours  and flowing lines of the lady’s clothes adorning buxom mid zones and lower regions terminating in the twin ambulant enablers-her elegant kegs.

The setting is serene, belying the boiling currents of political conflict Amaechi embodies, particularly from his exit from the PDP at the centre of the group of governors that are part of the nucleus of the APC in its success in the 2015 Presidential elections and dominance of the legislature, a feat achieved partly through Amaechi’s role as chairman of the APC Presidential campaign, even as he lost the Rivers state gubernatorial election.

                                                             

A picture responding to the poor calculation in strategy by Aisha Buhari, wife of then Presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari, in alluding to the reputation of Benin as contributing  the most prominent share of Nigerian female prostitutes  in Italy.

Beyond the socio/political message, the image suggests that even when professional skill is the subject, beauty plays a role in the attractive force of a well groomed and well dressed person.

The bright sauciness of lips complements the intense set of eyes, skin, face, hands and stance, suggesting a professional who is yet sensitive to her responsibility to her own visual appeal.

                                                             

The unforgettable Baba Iyabo, two time ex-head of state/President of Nigeria, retired General Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigerian Civil War hero, king maker, survivor of the death dealing gulag of ex-Nigerian military dictator Sani Abacha, described as contributor to the installing of the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency and later arch-enemy of his government exploring  various strategies in the effort to defeat the government at the elections.

The football match where this picture was taken may be seen as part of his victory celebrations as the challenges of the anti-government struggles lifted with impending or achieved victory.

Attahiru Jega, beleaguered chief technocrat of the 2015 Presidential elections, defined by stylish white goatee, classic Northern Nigerian cap and flowing top and scholarly glasses as he seems to expound on a delicate point of social and technological engineering in his career climaxing job to date as head of the Nigerian National Electoral Commission, following on his leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at the time of the landmark strike that began the positive transformation of the welfare of Nigerian academics in the early 1990s.

                                                                                                    

The irrepressible  Patience Jonathan of “There is God” fame.

Dogged loyalist to her husband President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s most colorful public figure on account of stories of her inventive combinations of Standard and Pidgin English and reshaping of English in terms of  sentence structure and construction of meaning by a Nigerian woman more used to her native language and pidgin English, Nigeria’s  lingua franca, than to Standard English.

Her immortal and famous lines “there is God oooo” and “na only you waka come?” emerge from her anguish over the response from the school officials and parents in the story of the abduction of children from a school in Chibok by Boko Haram Islamic terrorists, an incident that remains mysterious in its details, marking a negative  turning point in the fortunes of the Jonathan government.

She will never be forgotten largely because she has become a cultural icon both celebrated and mocked  as her  husband’s  dedication to her and she to him elevated her in the public eye in a manner she took full advantage of.

She is shown here in an informal context depicting her generous and shapely proportions, a  classic image of a particular Nigerian feminine aesthetic.

Nigeria’s top five governor battles.

By Aliyu Tanko BBC Africa, Abuja

Nigeria decides

• Buhari scores historic win in Nigeria
• Can one election change a continent?
• Nigerian election in memes
• Nigeria elections: Reacting to Buhari’s win

Nigeria’s 36 state governors wield enormous power and influence – some have control of budgets larger than neighbouring countries.

This weekend Nigerians will be voting for 29 of them – two weeks after the historic vote which saw veteran opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari defeat Goodluck Jonathan, the incumbent president.

It will also be a titanic battle between Mr Jonathan’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Gen Buhari.

Here are the five most important battlegrounds:

Lagos

The commercial hub of the country, it has been under the opposition rule since the return of democracy in 1999. It is estimated to have a GDP of $91bn (£62bn), higher than 42 countries in Africa, according one of the candidates for governor.

Although cosmopolitan, the state had two Muslim governors in the last 16 years, including the outgoing Babatunde Fashola credited with transforming its chaotic nature with various development projects.

In an attempt to balance the equation, two Christians are now vying for the top job: Akinwumi Ambode of the APC and Jimi Agbaje of the PDP.

The PDP did fairly well in the presidential vote in Lagos, so it is going to be a tight race – and its candidate is very popular within the Igbo community, which controls substantial business enterprises.

It will be the biggest blow to the incoming government if it loses Lagos, which is the most populous and industrialised state with the highest non-oil revenue earnings.

Rivers

This is a battle for the control of the largest oil wells in the country.

A PDP stronghold, it has been a flash point of violence in the run-up to the elections, with APC saying 55 of its members have been killed.

Some estimates put the GPD of oil-rich Rivers state at $21bn

But there have been tensions in Rivers during this election season

The outgoing governor, Rotimi Amaechi, was elected on a PDP ticket four years ago but defected to join the APC and led Gen Buhari’s campaign.

Many see him as an “unpatriotic son” of the Niger Delta who fought against his fellow southerner, Mr Jonathan.

His chosen successor is the APC’s Dakuku Peterside. However, the powerful first lady, Patience Jonathan, who hails from the state, is backing the PDP’s Nyesom Wike.

The task ahead of the winner will be to mediate between multi-national oil firms and the disgruntled communities who complain of environmental pollution and neglect.

Kaduna

The beating heart of northern politics – many of the political elite live there – it also tends be a political melting point as the state is divided with Muslims in the north and Christians in the south

It has witnessed much ethno-religious violence in which thousands of people died since 1999.

Kaduna has a mixed population with both Christians and Muslims

The APC has fielded Nasir El-Rufai, the former minister of Abuja who transformed the capital into a modern city and demolished illegal structures.

The incumbent PDP governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero is under intense pressure as the APC won the state in the presidential vote. Mr Yero came to power two years ago after the death in a plane crash of the only Christian governor of Kaduna.

Whoever wins faces the task of promoting peace amongst the diverse ethnic groups, especially between Fulani herdsmen and farming communities.

Taraba

History could be made in this impoverished state close to the Cameroonian border if Aisha Jummai Alhassan of the APC wins, becoming Nigeria’s first female governor.

Could Aisha Jummai Alhassan become Nigeria’s first female governor?

A former court worker and a Muslim, she faces a hurdle in a state where Christians have ruled for the last 16 years.

Her PDP opponent, Darius Ishaku, is a former minister who has the support of mostly Christian communities and has a financial backer with deep pockets.

Taraba is equally divided between Muslim and Christian, and also faces ethnic and religious problems.

And while Ms Alhassan is popular amongst Muslims, she may find it difficult to attract the more conservative Muslim voters.

Imo

At the heart of the south-east and home to the Igbo ethnic group, the people overwhelmingly voted for PDP in the presidential and parliamentary elections.

However, the incumbent APC governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, is by no means a write-off.

Rochas Okorocha is an important figure within the APC…

But the south is traditionally loyal to the PDP, so Emeka Ihedioha may beat the incumbent

He is powerful within the APC – and the region may feel it needs someone with influence to fight their corner with the incoming APC government.

He faces the PDP’s Emeka Ihedioha, the outgoing deputy speaker of the House of Representatives who has the important backing of Mr Jonathan.

UPDATE: FULL TEXT OF RIVERS STATE DEPUTY GOVERNOR TELE IKURU DEFECTION TO PDP SPEECH.

My dear People of Rivers State, I bring you honest and sincere greetings.

Tele Ikuru Deputy Governor Rivers State

Today, I address you out of the fullness of my heart. Recall that in December 2013, out of extreme loyalty to my Boss and friend, I joined the All Progressives congress (APC) along with other then disillusioned Rivers People. Ever since, as the true nature and motives of APC are unveiled, I have continued to twist and turn in extreme mental and emotional agony.

The more I struggle to belong, the more the Rivers man in me rejects the APC. After carefully studying, interacting and analyzing the leadership of the party, I have come to the sad conclusion that the APC is a party of rebels, insurgents and anarchists, clothed in robes of pretense and deceit.

APC is a party founded on deception and it thrives on unholy propaganda and falsehood. I therefore, on behalf of my teaming supporters, and my humble self denounce the APC and we all jointly and severally resign our membership of the APC.

My dear people of Rivers State, we of this generation will not in good conscience expect forgiveness and compassion from our forebears, posterity, and the spirit of our unborn generations if it is recorded in the annals of history that after 48 Years of Rivers people supporting leaders from all other parts of this country with our votes and resources, we were the same that witch hunted and hounded down the very first ever President from this region, granted us by providence. I wash my hands off this treachery.

In the light of the above, I wish to urge all My Supporters, the Good People of Rivers State to join hands with other well meaning Nigerians to massively vote for President GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN (GCFR) and the Transformation Agenda that has brought so much relief and succor to the greatest number of Nigerians.

I also urge allRivers People to vote for Chief Barr Nyesom Wike (CON), who has shown by his antecedents, track records and boundless capabilities that he will deliver good governance to the People of Rivers State.

Thank You and God Bless You All Abundantly.

Engr Tele Ikuru

Breaking News. Twenty One Commissioners And Sixteen House of Assembly Members of Rivers State Join Dep. Governor Ikuru To PDP.

Amaechi in disarray.

21 Commissioners, 16 Assembly Members Join Deputy
Governor, Tele Ikuru who Defected To PDP on Sunday.Information gathered by GlobalVille News reveals that impeachment of Amaechi might be imminent.

As The leader of PDP and Gubernatorial candidate in Rivers
State, Chief Hon. Barr. Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike has
already set up a committee to officially welcome the decampees into
the party by tomorrow Monday 23rd March, 2015.
Political pundits say the coast to victory for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election is already clear.

Rivers APC Alleges Its 30 Supporters Killed, says ‘We are now endangered species’ *Demands for the immediate rescue of kidnapped Ndigbara.

By Nwaorgu Faustinus

The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged that over 30 of its supporters have been killed in the political violence that has rocked the State in the past few months. The party stated this in a press statement today, Thursday 26 February 2015.

“Our investigations showed that we have lost no fewer than 30 of our members and supporters in political attacks instigated in parts of the State by agents of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As painful as this is, we are miffed that no single arrest has been made by the police in connection with these politically-motivated killings calculated to intimidate and annihilate us a political party,” Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Davis Ibiamu Ikanya, said.

Ikanya in a statement issued in Port Harcourt lamented that those behind the killings are becoming increasingly emboldened by the day as demonstrated by their brazen attack on APC’s gubernatorial campaign train in Okrika on 18^th February 2015.

“With the shooting, bombing and successful disruption of our Okrika rally which was aimed principally at eliminating our gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, with the successful kidnapping of Fred Ndigbara, a civil servant working in the Media Unit of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Governor of Rivers State, we indeed need no soothsayer to tell us that we are no longer protected but now endangered species. When a political party is denied the right to canvas for votes in an assumed democratic system, as has been done to us in Okrika, we can only conclude that Nigeria is slowly but steadily slipping into a state of anarchy. With the lives of our people threatened on daily basis, with the security agencies looking the other way, we have every reason to wonder if the PDP-controlled Federal Government is truly serious that elections will hold in Rivers State during the general elections scheduled for March and April,” Ikanya said.

The Rivers APC Chairman commended Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, “for ordering full investigation into the madness that happened at Okrika, where one of the policemen providing security at our rally was brutally killed”.

He also commended Zone 6 Assistant Inspector General of Police, Tunde Ogunsakin, for ordering Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Dan Bature, to rescue Mr. Fred Ndigbara from the hands of those that kidnapped him while on a democratic duty during the rally of APC at Khana recently. “We however wish to emphasise that something serious must be done soon to avoid us losing hope on the ability of the police to secure our lives,” Ikanya said.

He added: “PDP and its promoters can’t be allowed to continue to act with impunity as if the police are an extension of the party as being boasted by some of its chieftains. It is very unfortunate and sad that a Police Force that is being sustained and maintained by our taxes should allow its reputation to be ruined by a group of people who do not mean well for our State.

“We hereby demand the immediate rescue of Mr. Fred Ndigbara, a harmless fellow whose only crime is belonging to APC, and that adequate protection be accorded to our gubernatorial candidate and the entire APC leadership in Rivers State. We also demand a stop to the further harassment of our members. We are full citizens of this country and we can no longer tolerate being treated like second class citizens.”

Rivers APC commiserated with the family of the slain policeman, police corporal Ifeanyi Okorie and assured that it will do everything humanly possible to ensure that his children are given the best education that they need to succeed in life. The party thanked the leadership of the Federal House of Representatives for showing solidarity with Dr. Peterside and the leadership of APC over the unwarranted Okrika attack and for demanding that the security agencies should get to the root of the matter.

2015: DAKUKU PETERSIDE’S PLETHORA OF ROYAL BLESSINGS AND THE FUTURE OF RIVERS STATE

 

By EZE CHUKWUEMEKA EZE, 08038199163

PREAMBLE: Eric Arthur Blair, better known as George Orwell (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950), an influential English novelist, essayist, journalist and critic, once stated that he who controls the past controls the future and who controls the present controls the past. George Orwell must have the traditional institution in Africa in mind when he made that famous quote as no other institution in Africa controls our past and present more than the traditional institution.

The powers of the royal institution in a setting like Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised. For a candidate to have plethora of royal blessings from various kingdoms before a given election is not something any serious political analyst of note can overlook as this may be used to judge the popularity, acceptance or otherwise of the candidate in question.

In any African setting like Rivers State, Nigeria, the traditional institution is generally regarded as the custodian of the culture and closest power or government to the people. As a result, traditional rulers wield enormous powers and influence over their subjects and can decide, therefore, make or mar any candidate in a given election.

On the other hand, and according to one-time President of USA, George W. Bush, “Leadership to me means duty, honor, country. It means character, and it means listening from time to time.”  To King Prof T.J.T Princewill the Amayanabo of the Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State, “a leader is not worth anything if he or she does not represent the values of love, unity, peace and justice for his people”.

DR DAKUKU ADOL PETERSIDE

The main thrust of this study given the explanations by President George Bush, King Prof T.J.T Princewill and George Orwell above is to examine the political leadership and avalanche of royal blessings so far poured on Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State and its implication on the governorship election of 28^th February, 2015, as well as other elections in the State. Apart from the above, this study will also be proffering answers to the following questions: Who is Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside? How did he manage to secure the ticket of such a big party like APC to fly her flag in a cosmopolitan State like Rivers State? And why should he be bestowed with such royal blessings that make his opponents envious and to think of stepping aside even before the electorate set out to cast their ballot?

Before delving into the plethora of royal blessings bestowed on Dr Dakuku Peterside so far, let me highlight the significance of the day of his birth as well as his personality in the politics of Nigeria. From 6^th July, 1967 to January 15^th, 1970, the Nigeria/Biafra war raged on. To some pundits and political analysts it was the birth of this divine and great star on 1^st January, 1970 that actually brought this unfortunate war to an end. They posit also that in the battle for the soul of Rivers State come 28^th February, 2015 which has being turned into war situation by the PDP leadership, the Rivers APC is counting on this man of peace not only to win the gubernatorial election but also to stop the war mongers being paraded by the Rivers State PDP from coming to power and making Rivers State very unsafe for foreign investors.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BIRTHDAY OF DR DAKUKU PETERSIDE AND HIS RISE TO LEADERSHIP

Dr Peterside is a native of Biriye, Opobo Kingdom of Rivers State. A true Nigerian, Dr Peterside grew up in Azumini, Aba both in present day Abia State, Kaduna and Port Harcourt at various times. Dakuku attended Okrika Grammar School (OGS), University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, University of Port Harcourt, Georgia State University Atlanta, USA, and is also an alumnus of Harvard-Kennedy School, University of Harvard, USA.

He earned degrees in Medical Laboratory Sciences (Haematology), Business Administration (Management) and certificates in Leadership and Project Management respectively. He has attended several oil and gas courses globally.

He is a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), fellow of Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria (IMCN) and member, Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences of Nigeria.

The great Philosopher, John C. Maxwell with Dr Peterside in mind postulated that, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” In living this truism, prior to being elected to the House of Representatives, Dakuku served twice as Rivers State Commissioner for works (2007-2011) where he anchored Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s phenomenal transformation of Roads and Infrastructural landscape of Rivers State; He concurrently served on the Board of Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority (GPHCDA).

Before serving as Rivers State Commissioner of works, he served as Executive Director of Development and Leadership Institute (DLI) between the year 2005 and 2007, Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Rivers State on Works (2003-2005) Chairman Opobo-Nkoro LGA (2002-2003). As LGA chairman he was declared the most outstanding Chairman by the then State Governor of Rivers State. He previously served as Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Youth and Student affairs and concurrently as a member of Board, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), A Federal Government arts and research establishment.

He has at various times turned down at least 14 chieftaincy titles, several honourary doctorate degrees and awards, rather believing in the people as a reason for service. In the House of Representatives he serves as Chairman of the strategic Petroleum Resources (Downstream) Committee that oversees the management of the key driver of Nigeria’s economy (Petroleum Industry). Dakuku also serves in the House most important committees of Anti-Corruption, National Ethics and Values; Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes; Co-operation and Integration in Africa, Electoral Matters; Industry; Communications and Works. He is a well known champion of reform and strengthening of institutions as key to unlocking development potentials.

HOW HE EMERGED AS APC FLAG-BEARER

Dr Peterside emerged the flag-bearer of APC on 4^th December, 2014 when at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in a transparent election conducted by Prince Austin Eweka the  3774 gubernatorial delegates of Rivers State APC out of the 4,321 accredited delegates formally elected him as the APC gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 polls. Expressing his joy over this epochal event, Rivers APC State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, stated thus: “I congratulate our delegates that saw to the election of this great mind to carry our banner in our resolve to salvage Rivers State and our people from selfish politicians whose stock-in-trade is to loot our common patrimony and initiate our people into occult societies alien to our culture and belief as God-fearing State. I urge all and sundry to obtain their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to ensure that we collectively punish and bury PDP formally next February. I congratulate Dr. Peterside on his emergence and wish to assure him that we shall work day and night to ensure a landslide victory for him and our great party during the 2015 polls.”

DAKUKU PETERSIDE AND PLETHORA OF ROYAL BLESSINGS

That Dr Dakuku Peterside is the popular gubernatorial choice of the various strata of Rivers State is becoming very glaring by the day. Immediately after handling over his mandate to God through a well celebrated praise and worship service at Dr Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, where Bishops, Pastors and other members of the clergy prayed for his success at the polls, Dr Peterside swiftly moved to consult Traditional Rulers in the State to seek their blessings for his candidature.

Dr. Peterside has so far visited and received the blessings of First Class Kings in Rivers State such as King Kaleh Obuge, Oda Abuan King of Abua; Onneh eh Eleme, King Ejire; Eze Ekpeye Logbo Eze Robinson Robinson; Amanyanabo of Bonny, King Edward Asimini Pepple; and the Kalabari Monarch, King TJT Princewill amongst others..

THE VISIT TO THE KALABARI KINGDOM

In this regard, after receiving the approval of men of God, Dr Peterside visited Buguma, the traditional, political and spiritual headquarters of the ancient Kalabari Kingdom, to inform King (Prof.) TJT Princewill, Amachree XII, Amayanabo of Kalabari, of his governorship candidacy and afterwards seek his royal blessing. Peterside, once an undergraduate student under King (Prof.) Princewill, told the monarch: “I resolved within myself that I will not accept this challenge of flying the flag of our party, APC without seeking your fatherly blessing. If I have your blessing, I will succeed”. Members of the Buguma Council of Chiefs led by Chief CPD Amachree, Chairman, Buguma/Kalabari Council of Chiefs, were also on hand to “welcome the august visitor in December, 2014”, according to one of the Chiefs who later spoke for the Council.

But even as the reception at the palace proved Dr. Peterside, no doubt, is the popular choice of Kalabari people, the crowd that welcomed the APC candidate was unprecedented. The crowd, in their thousands, sang, danced, chanted the praise of their visitor and ululated even as various cultural groups spiced the big show with their skills in the use of the African talking drum and other native percussions. The streets of Buguma were literally set agog and as the snaky throng marched from the town’s entry point to the famous Amachree Square en route King Princewill’s palace. Security personnel had a herculean time controlling the surging crowd as they pressed to touch or high-five the APC candidate. Brooms, the APC symbol, moved in a mass agreement. At some points, Dr. Perterside, waving his own broom, gyrated to the rhythm of the invading music. The scene was powerful as youths, women, children and the aged sang, “Gboo, gboo, gboo, Dakuku gboo o o! Gboo, gboo, gboo, Dakuku gboo o o! Dakuku gboo eh, gboo eh, gboo eh, Dakuku gboo eh, gboo eh, gbo, gbo, gbo!” (Come, come, come Dakuku come 2x, Dakuku come, come, come).

One of the youths in the crowd who gave his name as Damiete Dateme, explained that it was a sort of messianic song, inviting Dr. Peterside to quickly come and save Kalabari nation from further slavery. “In this song, we are calling on Dakuku to come quickly and deliver us from further slavery,” he said. At a point a young man seemingly possessed by the spirit of the huge reception rang two large bells while he stood in the balcony of a church. The scene was moving and like was predicted, that reception turned out to be a token of what transpired at the king’s palace.

At Buguma, Dr. Peterside was at home, like he later said, “a true son of the house”, as top members of the Kalabari nation were on hand for the flamboyant reception even though his visit was meant to be private. Dr. Dawari George, Secretary of the APC Campaign Organisation and member, Federal House of Representatives who represents Akuku Toru/Asari Toru Constituency, Hon. Daddy Pokima, Caretaker Committee Chairman, Degema local government, Hon. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, a former Chairman of Asari Toru Local Government, Hon. Ben Fred-Horsfal, member, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Joeba West, Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Ipalibo Harry, Commissioner for Employment, formed part of the powerful audience.

The Kalabari tradition was in its rich colour at the palace as every segment of the century-long rituals announcing the presence of an Amayanabo was performed. The palace drummer, specially attired and his eyes dim as if the gods were in conversation with him, paced the palace meeting room, drumming and chanting jargons known only to him, Kalabari gods and the initiated. All rose in respect, which tradition demands, when King Princewill, accompanied by the Queen and royal guards, walked in.

Dr. Peterside, who was introduced by the palace secretary, Hon. Prince Dateme, JP, said his inspiration to gun for the office of governor of Rivers State drew shape from the values espoused by King Princewill. “I am inspired by the things you believe in and the values you have brought to leadership. The time you spent teaching us, you emphasised that a leader is not worth anything if he or she does not represent the values of love, unity, peace and justice for his people. I am therefore proud that you groomed us in honesty, excellence and quest for knowledge,” the APC standard bearer told the monarch and the Council of Chiefs.

Peterside further told the monarch: “I am a son in this house. It is only a son who does not know his rights that will not know when to approach his father. I know my right and I know when to approach my father. I am therefore here to seek your fatherly blessing. By next year, our people will be electing a governor. One of the major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has given me their flag as their candidate. But I resolved within myself that I will not accept the challenge without seeking your fatherly blessing. If I have your blessing, I will succeed. I am a son you raised properly and the promise is that I will not disappoint you now that I have been given a huge responsibility. You taught us not to run away from any fight that will bring development and progress. As a bearer of your vision, I will be going into this race pursuing the unity and wellbeing of our people. I shall advance your dream and vision for Rivers State where everybody will have a sense of belonging, not where some people will be second class citizens. And we must defend the values and convictions you hold dear.”

Peterside, who explained that a time like this requires serious consultation with forthright and perceptive monarchs like King Princewill, pledged to offer Rivers State quality leadership anchored on his Roadmap to Prosperity if voted into office next year.

Responding, King Princewill said it would have been unthinkable to say anything contrary. “You said I groomed you but you are not the only one I groomed. President (Goodluck) Jonathan, Governor (Chibuike) Amaechi and others were also my students. If any of you comes for blessing, I will say that blessing was even granted before you came. But you must go to the field and do your best. I want to request that we ensure a violence free election. We in Buguma have seen violence. We don’t want to see it again,” he said.

The royal father blessed Peterside via the laying of royal hands on the candidate’s head. He called on him to build employment of jobless youths into his Manifesto, if he had not yet done so, and if elected, to ensure that such youths in his kingdom are gainfully employed. “We have a lot of problems among our youths. How do we get them engaged? How can we make them not to be idle?” the monarch asked. He called on Peterside to continue being a good boy, saying: “If you want to remain my son, then you must continue to do the good you have always done.”

PETERSIDE IS OUR NEXT GOVERNOR – MONARCH

At Obua/Oduai Local Government in the palace of the Uwema Ogbo Abua, His Royal Majesty, J. Umar II, a first class traditional ruler, pointedly told Dr Peterside: “You are our next Governor after Governor Amaechi.” This happened during a courtesy call by Peterside, his running mate, Honourable Asita, and APC members and supporters in continuation of his campaign in Abua/Odual Local Government Area. The monarch, who received the APC governorship candidate and his entourage with other traditional rulers in the local government area, called on the people to support Peterside. He described Peterside as a patriot and dependable gentleman with sterling qualities and impressive record of achievements. The royal father assured Peterside of his kingdom’s unwavering commitment to his ambition, adding that his people have already embraced APC’s progressive policies.

Peterside and Asita were later honoured by the monarch and other traditional rulers with the privileges of a high chief in full traditional attire. The APC candidate promised to spend every minute of his time working for the people and representing their interest.

ADOPTION OF PETERSIDE AS SOLE CANDIDATE FOR THE IKWERRE KINGDOM

Out of all the kingdoms so far visited by Dr Peterside, what happened in Ikwerre Kingdom is the perhaps the most significant, as he was enthusiastically received and endorsed by the Ikwerre Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers in Isio­kpo, the spiritual and tra­ditional headquarters of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, as the sole governorship candidate for the Ikwerre nationality for the February 28 election. The Council comprises First Class and all Government-recognised traditional rulers in the four Ikwerre local government areas in Rivers State which comprise Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, Emohua and Ikwerre. The Council, which de­clared that its endorsement of Dr. Peterside was out of its resolve to uphold equity and justice by ensuring that the riverine section of the state produced the next governor, emphasised that by its ac­tion, no other governorship candidate would receive its endorsement. The paramount rulers enjoined all Ikwerre sons and daughters all over the world to support Dr. Peterside come February 28. Significantly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Chief Nyesome Wike, is a son of the Ikwerre Kingdom. With his rejection by his people we can now understand why his camp is in disarray.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ROYAL BLESSINGS

The significance of this historical endorsement is not lost on perceptive political analysts. All the past governors of Rivers State as well as the incumbent Governor Chibuike Amaechi were endorsed by this body of Royal Fathers before they were elected to be governors. Peterside’s endorsement therefore forecloses the possibility of Chief Wike governing Rivers State come May 2015

“The overwhelming endorsement of the candidature of Dr. Dakuku Peterside by our revered traditional rulers is a sign of imminent victory and yet one more proof that Rivers APC made the right choice in electing him to fly our flag during the February 28 governorship election. Dr. Peterside is a well-brought-up youthful manager of men and resources who has been prepared for leadership by the invaluable lessons he received from elders across the State,” Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said.

Ikanya assured the royal fathers that Dakuku Peterside will not disappoint them but will live up to expectation if given the mandate on February 28. “Dr. Peterside has tremendous respect for the traditional institution; he will not only carry our respected royal fathers along if voted into power but will also build on the solid foundation laid by Governor Chibuike Amaechi,” Dr. Ikanya said.

The Rivers APC Chairman noted that while Rivers monarchs and elders have embraced Peterside, they have vehemently rejected the candidature of Chief Nyesome Wike of PDP. “It is not surprising that Wike’s camp is in disarray as he has been rightly rejected by Rivers State Elders and Leaders, who see his imposition as an affront and a symbol of injustice since it is another way of saying that our riverine brothers have no right to produce the Governor of our dear State. We call on all Rivers people to collect their Permanent voters Cards and to use this wisely on February 28 by voting massively for Peterside and for the APC,” Ikanya said.

NON-INDIGENES ADOPT PETERSIDE

Apart from the royal fathers, non-indigenes numbering about 960,000 residing in Rivers State have adopted and endorsed Dakuku Peterside as their candidate for the February polls. They spoke through their leader, Barr. Chuma Chinye, the Rivers State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, saying: “No non-indigene in Rivers State will vote for PDP or any other political party as we are not ingrates considering all that Governor Chibuike Amaechi has done to improve our lot. Today, one of us –my humble self – is a member of the highest ranking governing body in Rivers State, the State Executive Council, while others such as Chief Ade Adeogun is the Chairman of the Sanitation and Environmental Company of the State, Mr. David Iyofor is the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor amongst other strategic positions of our people in government. Our kids are paying the same fees with indigenes at the various strata of education. We must appreciate all these by ensuring that we vote APC in all the elections to avoid those who have vowed to deal with us once they come to power.”

Other non-indigenes that spoke at the endorsement ceremony in Port Harcourt were Chief Dr. Williams Ubeka, who spoke for the South-East; Chief Joseph Ijede for the South-South; Alhaji Ahmed Adisa for the South-West; Alhaji Sulaiman Hussaini for the North-Central; and Alhaji Tanko Yusuf for the North, while Mrs. Chief Ijede spoke for the women. The speakers highlighted all the good things non-indigenes have enjoyed under the administration of Governor Amaechi and contrasted it with the evil and humiliations they suffered when Chief Nyesome Wike, the PDP Governorship Candidate, was Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government, when he introduced various taxes to scare away non-indigenes from Rivers State. They maintained that if the non-indigenes have any enemy in Rivers State, Chief Wike is the Chief Tormentor of non indigenes. They promised to ensure that he does not smell the Brick House for the sake of Rivers people, whether indigenes or non-indigenes.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR IKURU AND SENATOR ABE ON DR DAKUKU ADOL PETERSIDE

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, has rightly described Dr Peterside as Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s best and final gift to the people of Rivers State. He stated this at the APC Abua/Odual Local Government Area campaign rally at Ayama-Abua, saying: “Our leader and governor, the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has given us so many good gifts but Dr. Dakuku Peterside is his best and final gift to us. Amaechi gave us world-class schools, hospitals, roads, power, free education opportunities, purposeful leadership and security, among other good things. But let me tell you that Peterside is his best gift to us. I therefore wish to assure you that Peterside will give you double of all these great and wonderful things.” Ikuru also described Peterside as a visionary and consummate public servant who will bring his expertise, humility and fear of God to the leadership of the State.

To Senator Magnus Abe, “Dr. Dakuku Peterside is a symbol of unity, equity, continuity, progress and hope for not only Rivers State but for the future of the Nigerian nation.”

DR DAKUKU PETERSIDE AND HIS MISSION

Here is what Dr Peterside has to say about his mission: “We bring a roadmap of wealth for Rivers State anchored on a legacy and foundation of prosperity laid by Governor Chibuke Amaechi. We all know Governor Amaechi’s legacies in education, health, agriculture and other areas. He has built world-class schools and hospitals in every nook and cranny of the state. His health centres can match any standard hospital found anywhere in the world. We have unveiled our campaign plans and program and we can be judged by our vision and contract with Rivers State and our people contained in the Roadmap to Prosperity at the end of our tenure if elected. This is RIVERS PROJECT. It is not about APC. We invite everybody to come on board, join us to move Rivers State to the next level. Rivers people’s support for me is overwhelming. I really appreciate the outpouring of love. I thank all Rivers people. I will not disappoint you. APC members rely on God and I will continue to rely on God. I do not depend on my strength or ability. I will ensure unity in Rivers state. All Rivers people will have roles to play in my administration, when elected as governor by God’s grace. Our doors will be wide open.”
A good family man, Dakuku Peterside, is married to Elima, a lawyer, and they are blessed with three children, Soba, Belema and Miebi. He is a committed Christian who believes his relationship with Jesus Christ is what gives meaning to life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I wish to say without fear of contradiction that Dr Peterside is a symbol of unity, visionary, egalitarian and, most importantly, a great patriot whose love for Rivers State and her people is infectious. Here is a man who hasearned a reputation as a charismatic and disciplined leader; creative and hardworking, a broad-minded fellow with strategic insight who brings integrity, compassion, pro-poor perspective and intellectual dimension to bear in tackling tough national issues; a man whose loyalty to friendship and bridge-building skills are remarkable; an international resource person on oil and gas matters; a leading leadership/management scholar and speaker in leading conferences around the world; and a respected authority in corporate political strategy and Business-Govt interaction in Nigeria. Indeed, the great people of Rivers State have every reason to proudly endorse Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside as their next Governor after the departure of the goal-oriented Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi. With Dr Peterside in the saddle, the future of Rivers State is truly great. We therefore await his crowning after next month’s guber election.

The attached pictures will go a long way to explain this article better to any doubting Thomas.

Eze Chukwuemeka Eze is a Media Consultant based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

PRINCEWILL RESPONDS TO RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT; CALLS FOR A COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY.

Princewill Tonye

When we received the news that the Hon Commissioner of Finance had responded to news reports on the secrecy surrounding the sale of Rivers state assets to friends and cronies, we anticipated that finally we would have a meaningful engagement and that a debate on the issues was imminent. We quickly sought to see what details and substance he would provide. We were not expecting him to be totally open, because we knew he knew little about what was going on. However what we didn’t expect was an empty and verbose monologue.

Claims about a malicious publication, yet no redress sought from publishers, personal attacks on the Prince, bogus allegations and references to unnamed projects of questionable intent with no clear objectives, yet governments are the ones who should set objectives and deliver on them. Plenty waffle, little substance and in the end we are still where we are. Without answers. Little or no detail. All from a government of eight years.

He claims the Prince should keep quiet on the subject of public finance because in his words;  “He knows nothing about it”. This is the arrogance we hoped to avoid. Any citizen should be able to ask basic questions on the state of our public finances. The money belongs to us. If there was indeed full disclosure as he claims, there would be no need to ask the obvious. But in order to give him the benefit of the doubt, we will ask again. Please Hon Commissioner,

Disclose this:

1. Were assets sold? Name them and the transactions.

2. Who were they sold to? We want to know the names.

3. How much were they sold for? And how and when was it paid?

4. How was the figure determined? Was there a bid, a valuation, who participated?

5. Constantly he claims it is in the public domain. Name the publication.

6. Where exactly are the monies now?

The last point is very important. Important because the Hon Commissioner seems to suggest that the money is “steadily being deployed in the funding of ongoing infrastructure projects”. What does that mean? With what budget provision? Rivers people sincerely hope that this is not another code name for the stomach infrastructure of APC delegates and the unsuspecting Nigerian public in a general election.

He closed by saying he the Commissioner participated in “several of these transactions” not all of them, which immediately sounded alarm bells. Which ones did he not participate in? Is this a confirmation of the Prince’s fears? The Governor possibly acting outside the state’s financial system? There is more to this than meets the eye. You made no mention of Olympia and Abonema Wharf. Yet the Prince raised them too. Why?

If the statement from an Honorable Commissioner of Finance was not so weighty, this attempt would be laughable. I want to call on the state government to launch a full and independent inquiry into the sale of all these assets with immediate effect or give credence to the concerns raised by the candidate for the Labour party. This is not to be swept under the carpet.

The response by the Honorable Commissioner of Finance is laughable, unnecessarily rude and full of grammatical illusions. If I were to be a fly on the wall, one could almost state, with a high degree of certainty, that he did not write this statement unless it was at gun point. Money was received in the consolidated account he claims, but provides no details to guide us.

An election is coming and these and other issues are matters of importance to the people whom you have the privilege to serve. Rather than engage in personal attacks, it might be wiser to focus on the gravity of what is at stake. Public funds, public assets and public interest. Mr Commissioner, Prince Tonye Princewill is an Imperial college graduate of Mineral Resources Engineering and a Prince 2 certified project manager who understands more than you can imagine about public finance. He helped draw up the first budget for Rivers state under Rotimi Amaechi and was a member of the Economic Advisory council.

This is not about Tonye Princewill, Rotimi Amaechi or your Honorable self. It is about Rivers state and our people. A prompt response to the above laid down questions and requests are expected. The people await to hear from you. Preferably devoid of the insults. It’s best we focus on the issues. The people expect this from us.

Signed

D.M. Emmanuel

Spokesperson – Finance and Budget Planning
Prince Tonye Princewill Campaign Team

GOVERNOR GODSWILL AKPABIO’S DIVISIVE MEDDLING IN RIVERS STATE POLITICS.

 

Our attention, as Chiefs in Rivers State, and as leaders of our great Party, the PDP, has been drawn to an extremely provocative utterance by Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, on a live television programme on Thursday 13/11/2014, to the effect that our Party, the PDP, shall not adopt zoning in the selection of the governorship candidate for Rivers State.

Governor Akpabio, who spoke in his capacity as the Chairman of PDP Governor’s Forum, inferred that PDP shall not consider zoning, in deciding the flag-bearer of the Party in Rivers State; because the
Party is not in power in the State.

The Akwa Ibom Governor concluded that the PDP shall use whoever the Party considers strong enough to win the 2015 governorship elections in Rivers State, irrespective of the provisions of the Party’s constitution on zoning.

We are compelled as Rivers State Chiefs, and leaders of our great Party, the PDP, to respond to Governor Godswill Akpabio’s ill-advised incursion into the complex political terrain of Rivers State; and to state
that, because the governor did not, and cannot share the innate sensibilities of Rivers people, he succeeded in trivializing the cherished values of our people, on the altar of political expediency and crass oratory.

Let us restate the position of Governor Akpabio, for the sake of clarity:

• That PDP is in opposition in Rivers State, the Party cannot therefore consider zoning as the method to determine its 2015 governorship flag-bearer in the State.
• That the party shall use whoever is strong enough, to win the 2015 governorship elections in Rivers state, irrespective of the Party’s constitution on zoning.

We consider the reasons mentioned above byGovernor Akpabio, who had ensured the zoning of the governorship ticket by the PDP in his own native Akwa Ihom State, but prescribes a different treatment for a rival Rivers State, as hypocritical, selfish and unbecoming ofa person of Governor Akpabio’s status, who should be an unbiased
umpire.

On the issue of Rivers State being in opposition, it is on record, that since 1999, no other political Party apart from the PDP has won the governorship elections, in Rivers State. It is therefore wrong for Governor Akpabio of Akwa Iborn State to say that Rivers State is in opposition.

It is also wrong for Governor Akpabio to insinuate, that because Governor Rotimi Amaechi had defected to APC, Rivers people should forget that Amechi was elected on the platform of the POP; and that Amaechi’s election, was within the political tradition of zoning and rotation in Rivers State; and within the provisions of the PDP constitution.

If zoning were done only in PDP-controlled States, as claimed by Governor Akpabio, why then did the POP zone the presidency to the South West in 1998? Was POP the Party in power at the center in 1998?

The truth is that the PDP only implemented the provisions of its constitution in its Aims and Objectives, in Chapter 1, Item 7.3 (c) that guarantees: “Adhering to the policy of rotation and zoning of Party and public elective offices”.

On the issue of PDP, yielding the Rivers State governorship ticket to a “strong man” that can win the 2015 elections, we want to restate the warning of Rivers Chiefs and elders in the leadership of PDP, not to toy with the sensibilities of Rivers people, in order to avoid anything that could jeopardize the victory of the Party in Rivers State.

Rivers Chiefs, and elders, have severally condemned the planned imposition of the so-called strong man, because it contradicts the age- long political tradition that encourages rotation of political offices among the ethnic groups in Rivers State. Any attempt to negatively rewrite the political history of Rivers State, shall endanger the
fortunes of POP in the State.

Rivers Chiefs, and elders, have said it loud and clear, that the popular desire of Rivers people is that another ethnic group, apart from Ndoni and Ikwerre, should produce the next Rivers State Governor. This is because Dr. Odili from Ndoni, and Barrister Omehia, and Rt. Hon Amacchi from Ikwerre have become Governors
in recent times.

As Rivers Chiefs, and PDP leaders, we are utterly amazed that the definition of the supposed “strong man” is a person who graduated from the NYSC camp in 1998; got elected via the courts as Local Government Chairman in 1999; became Chief of Staff to a Governor that was proclaimed by the courts in 2007; became a junior Minister in 2011; and now very rich buying everybody and everything on his way.

This “strong man” had used his offices to locate and build federal institutions in the communities of very powerful Nigerians, including schools in the hometowns of State Governors. We are amazed that security agencies and anti-graft bodies could only watch this “strong man”, as he desperately blackmails the polity, and pays
huge monies to pocket the political destiny of Rivers State.

As Rivers elders, and PDP leaders, we had written several letters (0 the leadership of our Party, about the imminent political suicide of the PDP in Rivers State. We took our complaints to the South-South Integration Committee, which has since submitted its report to the NWC of our party which is yet to make public its decisions, even as phantom Ward Congresses are said to have taken place in the State .

Rivers State Chief’s, and stakeholders, only recently held a crucial meeting with Chief Edwin Clark, in order to avert. the impending political disaster in the State.

Is Governor Akpabio’s opinion on Rivers State, now more important than the several voices of our Elders, like: Chief Edwin Clark. Senator Cyrus Nunieh, Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, Chief Albert K Horsfall, Senator Bennet Birabi, DrMonday Okonny, and several others, who have publicly warned against the violation of the
age-long power sharing agreement in Rivers State?

We find it very strange that Governor Akpabio, who in 2007 was a very weak, vaguely-known aspirant; not even favored by the sitting Governor: and who by the special grace of God, was given the Party ticket; and who, inspire of his weakness, was supported by the Party to become Governor, would now promote the interest of the “strong” against the entrenched zoning provisions of the PDP constitution, which is the foundation for sustainable peaceful co-existence in any multi-ethnic society.

As a people, we are most concerned that the unsolicited “no zoning” campaign in support of a particular strongman, aimed at desecrating Rivers State political tradition and values, should be coming from Governor Godswill Akpabio, who having accomplished his uncommon transformation in a peaceful Akwa Ibom State, should ordinarily avoid sowing the seeds of discord in Rivers State, with such irrational public commentary.

We call on the leader of our great Party, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who is fundamentally, a Rivers man, to
discountenance the unsolicited advice of people who, if they were President, would never sacrifice the legitimate rights of their geo- ethnic interests, as they now expect from President Jonathan.

We make bold to tell the Governor, never again to meddle in our affairs, and should stay within the confines of his own Akwa Ibom State. 

SIGNED:

Chief Bekinbo Soberekon                          Prof Israel Owate

RIVERS APC LEADERSHIP HOLDS MEETING WITH STAKEHOLDERS.

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State last Friday held a major stakeholders meeting, involving all ward and Local Government Executive Committee members at the Party’s State Secretariat in Port Harcourt as part of the strategy to perfect plans ahead of the 2015 general elections. The meeting was held to fashion out and ensure that the party sweeps all elective positions in Rivers State come 2015.

Addressing the over 2,000 attendees, the State Chairman of APC, Chief (Dr.) Davies Ibiamu Ikanya called on party faithful across the state to remain committed and dedicated to party activities to ensure that the party is both strategically and properly positioned for victory come 2015.

Dr. Ikanya stated that the meeting became necessary after the State Working Committee [SWC] and the State Executive Committee [SEC] perceived certain grievances among party members and their Ward and Local Government leaderships.

He reiterated the Party’s Commitment to ensure that all aggrieved party members were brought together while assuring the audience that the party would conduct primaries as a way of resisting imposition of candidates.

Dr. Ikanya encouraged all those present to state the true and real position and issues bothering them both at the ward and local government levels without fear or favour. He made the crowd to know that the fight in Rivers State was beyond APC and PDP or Amaechi versus anybody, but that it is a fight against darkness and light, adding that God will not allow a governor that will go to church in the morning and in the night he is wearing occult garment to rule Rivers State.

The Chairman seized the opportunity to let party faithful know that APC is the only political party with the right ideology, manifesto and constitution in Nigeria.

Dr. Ikanya made it categorically clear that APC was not only the most organized political party in Nigeria, but that the party was on a rescue mission to salvage Nigeria from the art of bad governance, impunity and irregularities in the administration process.

Dr. Ikanya assured the audience that in 2015, APC will produce the next Governor in Rivers State, while charging the stakeholders to work hard to ensure that the party wins all the constituency seats so that lawmakers who are on the other side will not disturb the APC governor.

Stakeholders who spoke at the meeting raised critical issues which the Chairman subsequently addressed without delay thereby bringing the meeting to a close on a happy note.

Ikechi Akpuh

Media Assistant to the State Publicity Secretary

OFFICE OF THE SENIOR SPECIAL AIDE ON MEDIA AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS TO THESTATE CHAIRMAN OF APC, RIVERS STATE CHAPTER.

       No. 38 Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt

              E-MAIL-apcchangeriversstate2019@gmail.com, apcrivers@yahoo.com

              TEL: 08038199163       

                                            

Amaechi

                              PRESS RELEASE

 

PDP FORMALLY BURIED IN RIVERS STATE —APC •Commends 85,500 that thronged PH Mega Rally to celebrate Amaechism

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is pleased to announce the formal burial of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State. We warmly congratulate the 85,500 patriotic citizens of the State who empowered us to make this announcement through their physical presence at APC Port Harcourt Mega Rally held last Saturday, 25^thOctober, 2014, at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium. It was a rally during which 85,500 people struggled to see the man described as the hero of the new political dispensation in Nigeria – Rt. Hon. Chibuke Rotimi Amaechi, Governor of Rivers State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). It was a day set aside to celebrate the epochal judgement of the Supreme Court that stands as a mystery to many political watchers – a verdict which ensured that Rt. Hon. Amaechi, who was denied his victory by the then PDP leadership, was handed over the mantle of leadership of Rivers State on 25^th October, 2007.

Instead of the 50,000 expected by the organisers, over 85,500 eventually attended the rally, with 46,000 seated, 25,000 standing and 14,500 standing outside the stadium main bowl but participated fully by following the programme through the giant television sets and loudspeakers placed at strategic places outside the stadium by the oragnisers. Instructively, most of these great sons and daughters of Rivers State that attended the historic rally sponsored themselves to the event, thus practically demonstrating their great love for Amaechi and APC.

Joining this large throng of Rivers people to celebrate seven years of Amaechism were many other Nigerians, including all APC presidential aspirants – a former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.); ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; the Governor of Kano State, Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso; his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha and LEADERSHIP Publisher, Sam Nda-Isaiah. Also in attendance were the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his predecessor, Senator Bukola Saraki; as well as a former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and his predecessor, Engr. Segun Oni, the Deputy National Chairman, South, of APC; lawmakers and other eminent personalities.

The event was used to celebrate the seven golden years of the administration of Governor of Amaechi in Rivers State that witnessed unprecedented growth in all sectors of the economy of the state, particularly in the areas of Education, Health, Agriculture, roads and other physical infrastructure, the formal commissioning of one of the best stadia in Nigeria, the 46-seater Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium Complex that boasts world-class facilities for football, swimming, handball and several other sports.

The climax of the event was the formal burial of PDP in Rivers State, with Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah Nwika, one-time Deputy Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly with Gov Amaechi as the Speaker then, one-time Commissioner of Finance and two-time member of the Federal House of Representatives from 2003 to 2011, decamping from PDP to APC with the 5,800 remnants of PDP in Rivers State. According to Hon. Deeyah Nwika, “with today’s event, PDP ceases to exist in Rivers State probably only in the minds of few hungry fellows still singing the praises of confused Chief Nyesom Wike whose vision is just to take Rivers State to the days of insecurity that we have passed.”

Rivers APC deeply appreciates all the goodwill messages received at the epochal rally and fully associates itself with the following words of Governor Amaechi at the rally: “They (PDP leaders) have made too much noise. President Jonathan says we exist only on posters and billboards. So, we brought a large billboard for him. If the President is not watching the rally, they will give him security report.This stadium is 46,000 seating capacity. I built it. It was built by me. One of them campaigning for Rivers governorship (Chief Nyesom Wike, the immediate past Minister of State for Education) was the contractor to do the roads. He abandoned the roads and took N3 billion and left. Now, he wants to be governor.

I challenge them to an integrity test. Any of them from Abuja to Rivers State, I challenge them to an integrity test. I have worked with them. I have their records and their (records) are in the Office of the Governor.

We have developed 750 megawatts, but the problem is Federal Government not allowing us to distribute electricity.

We were to give Port Harcourt water. As I am talking to you today, the Minister of Finance (Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala) has refused to move the file again back to Executive Council for approval, so that you can have water. They do not care for you. They want you to die of water-borne diseases. Punish them with your votes. Punish PDP with your votes. He (Jonathan) is our son; why can’t we have water?

The problem we have is that the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) is no longer working. Corruption is at its industrial scale. Thieves are thieves because we now have an industry called corruption.”

We join the Rivers Governor to laud members of the National Assembly from the State who have wisely chosen to stand by our Governor. We are happy that eight members of the House of Representatives from the State moved with him to APC, while the rest betrayed him and will surely be punished by Rivers people with their votes in 2015.

We also join the NGF Chairman in thanking Rivers people for keeping him as Governor and standing by him. We fully associate ourselves with Amaechi’s words when he stated: “They said the reason why the President (Jonathan) is not performing in Rivers State is because he is quarrelling with the Governor of Rivers State. Okay, what is the quarrel between the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and the Governor of Cross River State that the road from Akwa Ibom State to Cross River State is abandoned? Are they quarrelling too? It is more of lack of performance. When the President (Jonathan) spoke in Benin, he spoke in a stadium that was less than 20,000-seating capacity. When TAN (Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria) held their rally in Port Harcourt, they held it at the 16,000-capacity Elekahia Stadium and this was a South-South rally. The rally in Benin was South-South. The rally in Port Harcourt was South-South. This one (APC mega rally) is Port Harcourt rally. Do you remember Ebola? To show you how much the President hates us, he visited Lagos; did he visit Rivers State? He did not care. He wanted all of us to die, but I took it as a challenge and said none of us would die. Whatever it will take, I will do what I can by God’s grace to protect Rivers people.

Can you see our airport (Port Harcourt International Airport)? The president lands at the airport. But see how we look like refugees. They say there is no light at the airport. What did we do to them? We gave him the highest votes in the country and the punishment we get for given him the highest vote is operation nothing. So, APC is the solution to protect our interest. We must go there to vote out the PDP. It is not about our son.

They tell you that you should not vote for these people, because they are Hausa people, they are Muslims, but the refinery in Rivers State was built and commissioned by Tafawa Balewa, a northerner. Shehu Shagari started NAFCON, Ibrahim Babangida commissioned it. IBB started the Eleme Petrochemical Company, Sani Abacha completed it. They are all northerners; they are all Muslims. NLNG was started and completed by Abacha and he is a northerner and a Muslim. Bonny NLNG, NDDC, Niger Delta Ministry were established by northerners.

In fact, when late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was alive, Niger Delta Ministry was working; now it is only one item: East-West Road, and they say he (President Jonathan) is our brother. He is not my brother. My brother is the man who delivers on his services for me. If the President says he is our brother, let him call one project (his administration has embarked upon in Rivers State).”

We thank APC leaders, including our presidential aspirants, for attending the Port Harcourt Mega Rally and for the message of hope they gave to Nigerians during the rally. For example, Buhari said that APC, from next year, would provide security and development in Nigeria, while Atiku urged Nigerians to vote for APC in 2015 to eradicate poverty and ensure steady electricity, good roads and good schools, among others. On their part, Okorocha assured that the APC would provide the best presidential candidate with vision for Nigeria, not based on religion or tribe, while Kwankwaso noted that Amaechi is ensuring peace and stability in Nigeria, as the Chairman of NGF, and Nda-Isaiah stated that God gave Rivers people a good Governor in Amaechi, declaring that he had never seen the kind of crowd he was seeing at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

Odigie-Oyegun assured that the APC would wipe out corruption in Nigeria and that APC is in charge of Rivers State, contrary to the claim of PDP leaders, stating that the progress in the state could be replicated at the centre and all over Nigeria.

In conclusion, Rivers APC urges the Nigerian electorate to save our nation from PDP’s misrule in 2015 by punishing the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan with our votes in 2015, in order to bring about the much-desired change. The power to bring about a better Nigeria is in our hands. Let’s use it wisely in 2015 and end the suffocating circle of doom and gloom occasioned by the visionless leadership of President Jonathan.

Long Live APC!

Long Live Rivers State!!

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze,

SSA Media and Public Affairs to the State Chairman, APC Rivers State