Peterside, ‘Original Ogoni Boy’ – Ndigbara; Saro-Wiwa’s Family, Ogonis In Diaspora Hail Choice …Abe May Return To Senate

A former Niger Delta freedom fighter and agitator, Chief Solomon Ndigbara has commended the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for choosing an original Ogoni boy, Dr. Dakuku Peterside as its flag bearer.
According to him, the APC by this action has shown that it is sensitive to the yearnings and desires of the Ogoni people.
Ndigbara described Peterside as a true son and friend of Ogoni who not only grew up in Ogoni land but was involved in the MOSOP struggle through his relationship with Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa’s family where he is a son.
Peterside, he recalled, reconstructed all the roads in Bori town, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni land, an impact that has surpassed that of other Ogoni sons who held a similar position in Government.
He assured all Rivers people that Ogoni people are solidly behind their own son, Hon. Peterside.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has resolved the rift occasioned by the endorsement of Hon. Dakuku Peterside as the consensus candidate of the party for the 2015 governorship election in the state.
At a stakeholders meeting of the party in the Rivers South East Senatorial Zone which took place yesterday at Eleme, the leaders lauded the maturity of the aspirants and the need for them to continue to work as a team for the greater interest of the party.
Speaking, Hon. Dakuku Peterside noted the contributions of Senator Magnus Abe to the building of the APC family, describing him as an elder brother and a friend with whom he shared very close relationship.
He noted that the Senator has continued to serve the zone creditably in the Senate adding that his experience was still needed at the National Assembly. He urged him to consider returning to the Senate.
Various speakers including members of the Saro-Wiwa family, Ogonis in Diaspora, former chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Hon. Oji Ngofa, former member of House of Representatives, Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja and others hailed the choice of Dakuku and appealed to Senator Abe to pick the forms for the senatorial election.
In his reaction, Senator Abe reaffirmed his commitment to the success of the APC and said he would work with Peterside.
He stated that he would consult with his supporters before taking a decision on the next line of action.
Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Consensus Governorship Candidate for the 2015 election in Rivers State, Hon. Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, has assured all governorship aspirants that he will carry them along in his plans and activities.
In a statement issued yesterday by Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, Peterside said: “I am grateful to God, to our Leader, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and to our great party APC for finding me worthy to be tipped as consensus candidate ahead of our forthcoming State primary election. I am humbled by their choice of me and wish to assure that I will at all times do my best to justify their confidence in me.
“Those who are trying to sow seeds of discord between me and my elder brother, Most Distinguished Senator Magnus Abe, have already failed. Distinguished Senator Abe is not only my friend and elder brother but has also been my close ally in most of the strategic planning we have done in the Amaechi political family, so it is given that he will be at the centre of our march to the Brick House. I have visited and had brotherly discussions with him. Together we will shame our detractors and claim that which God has destined us to be.”
Reacting to the protest by some youths said to be from Ogoni, Peterside said: “I heard that some 150 young men and women were at the Government House, Port Harcourt, three days ago. Ogoni people love me and are very hospitable. I grew up in Ogoni, where I spent over ten years. I still have many childhood friends from Ogoni. The protesters are not Ogoni, but people from other political parties, who want to cause confusion. The opposition parties sponsored the 150 youths to protest. It is nothing to worry about. I was at the forefront of Ogoni struggle in 1990, when the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) was put in place.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (left) receiving his Permanent Voter’s Card from INEC National Commissioner, Barr (Mrs) Thelma Iremiren at Ward 8, unit 14, in Ubima, Rivers State, last Friday.