Dakuku Peterside: No single politician can determine how Rivers will vote

Dr. Dakuku Peterside, a leader in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has claimed that the people of Rivers are politically astute and that no one can sway their voting behaviour.

Peterside was addressing at a rally organised by the non-governmental organisation Reevas Progressive Front, RPF, in Opobo, the LGA's administrative centre, where more than 500 PDP members had switched to the APC.

In contrast to recent assertions made by Governor Nyesom Wike, he asserted that the people of Rivers are aware of their true leaders, who have their best interests at heart, as opposed to opportunists who are using the current economic climate to their benefit. “Rivers people know who their true leaders are; not those who presently take advantage of the harsh economic situation to hoodwink and turn them into articles of political and financial merchandise.”

Because of a leadership that was motivated by self-interest and unfettered ego, Peterside rated the preceding seven years as one of the worst in Rivers State. The previous seven remain without a doubt the worst in Rivers' career. The common Rivers man and woman were excluded from administration while those in charge amassed fortunes, seized the commonwealth, and openly flaunted even what they had stolen in public. The previous NIMASA DG observed that Rivers residents "had never had it this terrible."

The Opobo and Nkoro ethnic groups were among the most politically aware in Rivers State, according to Peterside, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives, who also asserted that they could not be duped or coerced with any Greek gifts as Governor. Wike is doing at theory. “Opobo/Nkoro people are one of the most politically enlightened stocks in Rivers State and no one can deceive us with a Greek gift. Gov. Wike had opportunity of developing Opobo-Nkoro in the past 7 years but did not do it. He preferred to fret away our resources junketing abroad searching for personal relevance that will not add value to Rivers state and her people”, he said.

Peterside stated that at the appropriate time Opobo and Nkoro people would openly prove to Wike that they well took note of his neglect of the area. “We will remind our people how much Wike and his cohorts failed them and why we cannot continue in that trajectory”, he stressed.

The former Federal lawmaker said that Nigerians had been unanimous in the type of leaders they would elect in 2023. “Nigerians are unanimous that the next election will be about character, competence and service delivery. It will not be about ethnicity. Opobo-Nkoro people know that a competent Governor with character they would be proud of would be superior to brandishing ethnic sentiment.

While urging Rivers people to “keep hope alive, Dakuku Peterside, commended the NGO and others who took part in the rally.