Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State Dr. Dakuku Peterside has described the values espoused by King TJT Princewill, the Amayanabo of Kalabari Kingdom as the inspiration for his quest for higher service to the people of Rivers State.
Peterside said this at the palace of the monarch in Buguma during a courtesy call on the king and traditional chiefs of Kalabari kingdom.
He said, “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”.
Peterside commended the royal father for receiving him so warmly, even at short notice, adding “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, your 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 bearer of your vision, I will be going into this race pursuing the unity and well being 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”, he said.
Peterside explained that a time like this requires serious consultation with forthright and perceptive monarchs like King TJT Princewill.
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 Jonathan, Governor 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”.
The royal father blessed Peterside and called on him to device means of ensuring that the idle youths in his kingdom are fully engaged, noting   “We have a lot of problems among our youths. How do we get them engaged?
How can we make them not to be idle? he asked.
He however called on politicians across political parties to quickly address the festering problem of intra party crisis. He warned that it will be counter productive to encourage intra party factions.
The royal father therefore called on Peterside to continue being a good boy. “If you want to remain my son, then you must continue to do the good you have always done.”

Cross-section of staff of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, paying final respect to a deceased member, Mr Paul Marcus, during a stop-over at the corporation, last Saturday. Photo: Ibioye Diama