Dakuku Pledges All-Inclusive Govt …Says Ogoni Struggle Moulded His Life

The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside has pledged to run an inclusive administration that would include non-indigenes.
Speaking at the inauguration of his campaign committees in Port Harcourt Monday, Dr. Peterside also said that his administration would be anchored on the fear of God.
The APC governorship candidate said that everyone who lives and does business in Rivers State will be made to contribute towards the success of his administration.
He charged the over 15 committees to work hard to carry the message of change to every doorsteps in Rivers State.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of the party Dr. Davies Ikanya Ibiamu urged the committees to ensure people turn out enmass to vote for the party in all the elections.
Ibiamu said that the over one million APC members in Rivers State must be fully mobilized to vote for the party, stressing that it beholves on the committees to take the message of change to every doorstep of Rivers State.
Earlier, the Director-General of Dakuku Campaign Organisation, Chief Victor Tombari Giadom urged the members to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure the victory of the party at all levels in the state.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, has said that watching the Ogoni fight for justice, equality and environmental rights while growing up as a lad on the streets of Bori, the Ogoni heartland and political headquarters, helped to mould his life.
While addressing a mammoth crowd of Ogoni natives and guests during the 2015 Ogoni Day celebration organised last Sunday, January 4 at the Birabi Memorial Grammar School open field, Dr. Peterside described his visit as “home coming”.
Peterside grew up in Bori where in the cause of  the time, built a bond with the famous Wiwa family of Bane.
Dr. Peterside, who was the representative of Rivers State Governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, (NGF), at the occasion, praised the Ogonis for remaining resolute in the search or a better and cleaner environment.
He recalled that when debate on the UNEP Report for the clean-up of Ogoni land was on the floor of the Federal House of Representatives, his voice stood in total support of the Ogoni.
“I will remind you that when the issue of the clean-up of Ogoni land came up on the floor of the House of Representatives, I was among the few voices that spoke extensively on what the Nigerian State owes Ogoni people. And I said on that occasion that we would do everything humanly possible to ensure that Ogoni land is cleaned-up, and that if Ogoni land was not cleaned-up, we would not rest”.
The APC flag-bearer, who received record-breaking reception from the crowd, told the people how, with the support of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, he, for the first time, constructed every road in Bori.
“The Ogoni struggle became my life and my life became intertwined with the Ogoni struggle. That was why when I had the opportunity to serve as commissioner for works of Rivers State, I, personally, with the support of the governor, constructed for the first time all roads in Bori. Today, the roads I constructed in Bori are a living testimony of what I will do if given the opportunity to serve as governor”.
Recalling what he was growing up on the streets of Bori, fetching and drinking water from Ogoni rivers and streams; cultivating their farmlands made rich by natural manure, Dr. Peterside said his heart is always broken as any Ogoni to see such once fertile lands and rivers ruined and devastated.
“Mr. President, I have drank from the waters of Kpor. I have participated in farming in the farmlands of Nyortem, of Zaakpon, of Kaani. And so, if they talk about social justice, I understand what it means”, he said.
Dr. Peterside said that peace, justice and progress of Ogoni land were uppermost in his heart and would work, if elected governor of Rivers State next month, to ensure Ogoni’s environment was cleaned-up.
“This place (Ogoniland) gave me the formative days of my life. As a young boy growing up on the streets of Bori, I admired the courage of the Ogoni people, their resilient spirit; their spirit of industry. And I can tell you those rare qualities which I observed while growing up in Ogoniland inspired me to the point where I am today.
“We have come in solidarity with the Ogoni people; in solidarity with Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People.
You will recall my relationship with the late Pa Jim Wiwa of Bane and that I participated in most meetings that led to the birth of the Ogoni Bill of Rights not as an outsider but as a son with rights. So, my brothers and sisters, I have not come for politics but I must say that this is like a home coming for me.
“To you our brothers and sisters, as we mark another Ogoni Day, please know that what is uppermost in our mind is peace, justice and progress of Ogoni land”.

L-R: Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal (right) with Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, at the APC presidential campaign flag-off held in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Ibioye Diama