Chief Emeka Beke, All Progressives Congress, APC Secretary-General in Rivers State has said the Ikwerre are supporting Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers State to avoid being misunderstood in future by other parts of state.
Beke who said this during an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, revealed that apart from the unprecedented endorsement of Peterside by the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers in Isiokpo a few months ago, Ikwerre leaders are also speaking openly in favour of the APC candidate so as not to be perceived as greedy and unfeeling.
According to the APC scribe, the Ikwerre are working for Peterside and the APC because the people are naturally fair-minded, hospitable and conscious of the future.
Beke, an Ikwerre, described Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, governor of Rivers State as an exemplary Ikwerre leader, insisting that the rest of Rivers State will judge the Ikwerre ethnic nationality tomorrow by their actions today. He described as heartless and objectionable, any attempt by the Ikwerre or any other part of Rivers State to support another candidate of Ikwerre extraction after Amaechi had served as governor for eight years.
“Every Rivers man and woman today believe that fair-play and equity should take place in this governorship election. The Ikwerre ethnic nationality had eight uninterrupted years in the office of the governor. We think our brother in the Riverine area should have the same opportunity to also serve as governor of the state.
“Becoming governor of a state should not be a do or die affair. That is why we in APC condemn in very strong terms, this wanton killing of our supporters. This is not our style of democracy. We stand for justice, equity and fair-play and let the people choose who becomes governor of Rivers State. But PDP has been killing our members and supporters. This last one was our core supporter in Onelga who was killed some days ago with some members of his immediate family.
“Everybody and the family in particular have been pointing accusing fingers at the PDP state chairman, Felix Obuah as the culprit. Obuah has been accused severally as the man behind the killing of APC members. One thing we are sure of is that we will win this election. But Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, our governor has promised that a commission of enquiry will look into these senseless killings to avoid a repeat.
“We want to send this message across to our brothers and sisters in Rivers State. Nobody should use you for violence. Anybody who wants to use anybody for violence should use his or her children first. We stand for freedom of choice and association and we want to win election by persuasion, not by intimidation.
…Peterside lauds Nigerian students, urges them to vote APC on Saturday April 11
Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State has charged students in both post primary and tertiary institutions in the state to be mindful as they vote on Saturday April 11 as their future depends on the choices they make.
In his goodwill message to Nigerian students ahead of the governorship election, Peterside commended students across Rivers State for the support and encouragement he enjoyed all through his campaign period.
“Great Nigerian Students! My name is Dr. Dakuku Peterside, a former Student Leader. I specially thank you for your support so far in the journey for the realization of our shared vision of a greater Rivers State. Please come out on Saturday April 11 and vote for me (APC). Security is guaranteed”.
He told the students that the only way to reciprocate Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s kind gesture towards students and their parents in the last eight years was to vote for APC.
He added that apart from encouraging Amaechi and the APC government with their votes, they will also be securing their future, particularly with regard to supporting education-friendly government that also promotes students welfare.
“As students in this state, you will agree with me that we have never had it so good. Today, we can boast of world-class schools with state-of-the-art facilities, highly motivated teachers and an environment that is naturally agreeable to learning.
“We have also witnessed compassion as never before with the payment of bursary and scholarship to students here and abroad. Our governor does not discriminate, so he has also extended this benevolence to our non-indigene brothers and sisters.
“This government is also alleviating the suffering of our less fortunate brothers and sisters with special scholarship for the physically challenged so that they can attain whatever educational height they desire. The Amaechi government has also employed young graduates across disciplines and tribes. How else can we show appreciation? I promise to do more, so come out and support APC because it is in our interest to do so.
