2015: President That Nigeria Needs -Peterside

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside,  has stated that Nigeria desperately needs a president with a very strong character and bearing to lead the country.
According to the APC candidate, whoever eventually becomes Nigeria’s president come May 29 must have the ability to solve problems and also be prepared to take responsibilities as a leader.
The APC candidate, who said this during an interactive session with traders in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, was apparently reacting against the backdrop of sustained media propaganda on the APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, as regards his religious disposition.
Peterside, who described Buhari as a transparent and experienced leader, called on the people of South-South region to discountenance the attempt to portray Buhari as a religious bigot.
He argued that only very few persons in Nigeria today can deny the fact that the country is faced with multifaceted challenges in the areas of security, power supply, education, employment, health care, human capital development and corruption, adding that only a focused government headed by an enigmatic leader like Buhari can address the nation’s many challenges.
Peterside described as tragic and an effort in futility, the attempt at religious profiling of people like Buhari because they command huge followership.
The APC candidate, who drew attention to the various woes facing the nation, said Nigerians are today united against hunger, poverty, unemployment, impunity, lawlessness, incompetence and hopelessness because these vices have no religion or tribe.
“I know that most young Nigerians today are asking questions. They want to know why universities in Ghana are rated higher and why most of their peers prefer going to Ghana, Dubai, Cyprus, Malaysia and other parts of the world for their higher education. Citizens of the above mentioned countries did not attain their enviable educational heights by spreading false information about their politicians who mean well. This is why issues of tribe and religion will be relegated.
“Nigerians want a president that will solve problems, that is our expectation. Whoever emerges must have the courage to face challenges and tackle the problems. The people of this country will no longer condone excuses for ant form of leadership failure.
“Luckily, some information are already in the public domain, therefore nobody can be deceived. Nigerians know the first and only president who attended a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Country (OIC). We also know the parties that first introduced Sharia in Northern Nigeria. The answers are a click away, he said.
Meanwhile, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside,  has asked traders, artisans and his supporters in the state to take solace in the fact that God is with them, pleading with them to be calm and to keep praying because their persecution will not last for a long time.
The APC governorship candidate, who spoke during a prayer session at Timber Market, Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, told the gathering that God has already intervened in the persecution of APC members because He is interested in Rivers State.
According Peterside, like the children of Israel in the Biblical days who were in captivity in Egypt for 430 years, “God will free us from this modern bondage, just pray and be hopeful”.
He told the traders that God alone gives power and that in fullness of time, God’s choice will be revealed.
“Men will boast that they have power. They will say they are connected to secret societies. They will say they have influence. They boast daily here in Rivers State about their federal connection and about how they are oppressing and intimidating their opponents.
‘In APC, we boast only about our God, the Ancient of Days, the I am that I am, the Lion of the Tribe of Judea and Jehovah Jireh, so we are not intimidated.
“God is interested in Rivers State because of the cry of the children of God. Because He is interested in Rivers State, no evil man will lead this state. Because God is interested in this state, He will not give our state to those who will harass and intimidate non-indigenes. Because God is interested in Rivers State, no tout will rule over our state. Anybody who will put our people in pain will never rule over us.
Only God-fearing person who will be committed to improving the lives of Rivers people will be voted for.
“Our Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has tried for us. He built world-class schools, health centres and provided opportunities for our people without any form of discrimination. Anybody running for the office of the governor because he wants to destroy Governor Amaechi’s legacies will not succeed. We all know that some person’s only interest in government is to steal more money and impose more taxes on you but we will not allow that”, he said.
Responding, chairman, Timber Market Association, Chief Livinus Chike, said members of his association are already working and praying for Peterside.
He called on the candidate to be steadfast and to continue reaching out to his supporters.

The celebrant, former President Shehu Shagari (left) being congratulated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, during his 90th birthday last Wednesday in his Sokoto home.