In an effort to bring traditional rulers and chiefs of Andoni Kingdom up to speed with political developments in Nigeria, the chairman, Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, himself an Andoni chief has met his colleagues ahead of next month’s election.
Ikanya, who was accompanied on the solidarity visit by Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers State spoke extensively on matters of development, candidates for the election, parties and Nigeria’s two critical elections slated for 14 and 28 February 2015.
Ikanya, described the last six years of Nigeria under the watch of a fellow Ijaw and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as horrifying for the people of Rivers State in particular and Nigeria in general.
According to the APC chieftain, the highpoints of the ignoble era included the criminal deregulation of petroleum products, the nine months strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the worsening unemployment situation, the immigration scam that shook the nation, the seizure of Rivers State oil wells, the intimidation and subjugation of government and people of Rivers State by Abuja and other infractions that characterised the last six years under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The chairman said “What exactly did we do to them? If they were quarrelling with Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi were they also quarrelling with the entire people of Rivers State? See how the man who lived here paid us back”.
”Apart from the intimidation, it also got to a time when we all agreed that our next governor must come from another part of Rivers State in the principle of rotation. But our brother joined hands with our oppressors to frustrate our Riverine aspiration and to deny us our heritage. But God gave us Peterside to console us. I want to say right away that a good friend is better than a bad brother. So we must support General Muhammadu Buhari because he has promised to assuage our pain”.
Ikanya, who described Peterside as a candidate of liberation, both for the Andoni and the people of Rivers State warned his people to reject Jonathan and the PDP because even the South-South region were Jonathan hails from is worse off today than it was 2009.
On his part, Peterside promised to create wealth and jobs for the unemployed, not only in Andoni Local Government but across Rivers State, just as he also promised to establish cooperatives, encourage deep fishing and address erosion issues, among other things.
A total of 54 Andoni chiefs, who attended the session, prayed for and blessed Peterside, describing him as a worthy brother and dependable representative.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has lauded Keke Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (KORAN) for their industry.
Peterside, who made the commendation at Elelenwo during a visit, said his government will pay special attention to the needs of KORAN because the association is engaging idle hands by providing employment opportunities to Nigerians.
He said ”Your job is very important to us because without you there would have been serious transport chaos in our communities. Keke gives over 5,000 persons job. If these jobs were not available, this probably would have translated to 5,000 idle hands and we all know the consequences. I know that some of you are graduates, yet you have decided to do this job to help yourselves and your families so that you can stay off crime.
”I will assist you because I know you have challenges. When we come to government in May, we will sit with you and tackle all the challenges.”
Peterside also addressed the issue of multiple taxation, describing it as unfair and unacceptable. He described the extortion and intimidation of Keke operators as inhuman but promised to sit with them after the election to see to the end of all the infractions.