Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside,  has called on the Ogoni at home and abroad to take advantage of the forth-coming general elections in Nigeria to free themselves from exploitation, exclusion, pain and humiliation from the oppressive government of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Peterside who described the Ogoni as a long-suffering ethnic group who gave everything to Nigeria and got nothing in return, urged the people to liberate the oil-rich area by rejecting PDP.
He made the plea at Community Primary School, Taabaa during his ward rally that attracted a huge crowd from all the wards in Nyokkhana district and beyond.
Peterside who described the Ogoni as peace-loving, accommodating and forgiving, qualities that ordinarily should have attracted development and patronage, told the people to take their destiny in their hands by disregarding the lies and deceit of the ruling party.
“The world knows that the Ogoni used their struggle and blood to pave the way for Southern minorities. It was Ogoni blood that brought President Goodluck Jonathan and other prominent South-South leaders to power. We all know that this huge sacrifice started long before this dispensation but do the Ogoni have anything to show for these efforts?
“Today, the Ogoni are worse off than they were many years ago when they pioneered the struggle for the liberation of Niger Delta region. Those in Abuja conveniently excluded them when the time came for political patronage and sharing of democratic dividends. Did any Ogoni man or woman benefit from major political appointments? Even when they gave out oil wells, pipelines security or amnesty which came with opportunities, did they remember you? Or are there projects you can point at that came as a result of your historic struggle to free our region? Your sons and daughters are not among those who got big contracts and empowerment, so we must think.
‘This is your time; take it because there could not have been a better time to show your anger against a government that despised you. Please remember that March 28 is your liberation day, you must liberate yourselves before you are exterminated. So vote for General Muhammadu Buhari, the man who came here and promised to revisit the UNEP Report. Also vote APC all the way for our federal lawmakers and follow up with the gubernatorial election on April 11. That is the only way to secure our freedom which is already in sight”.
Meanwhile, Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State, Dr. DakukuPeterside,  has again restated his undying commitment towards Ogoni Land. Peterside who described himself as a son of the soil, stated that no true son forgets his roots. He promised to continually work for the interest of Ogoni Land and its people in whatever capacity.
He said this at Community Primary School, Taabaa during his ward rally in Khana Local Government Area.
Peterside who recalled with nostalgia, his childhood days in Ogoni Land, called on the people to unite in their struggle for a better future.
“I am happy to be in Ogoni Land once again. The people of Ogoni know me and I know them. I am from here. I drank water and ate food in this land. Nobody forgets his roots, I will not forget Ogoni Land. You already know that I grew up here. You also know that when I had opportunity of serving in government as Commissioner of Works, I tackled the problem of road infrastructure head-on.
“You know that if I have a higher opportunity, I will do more for Ogoni Land. You are also aware that I am a chief here and that the closest relative of the Ogoni is Opobo.
“This election, I must state again, is about our life and existence, so we must not be emotional about it. APC is the only party that has a work plan and we are all witnesses to the changes Governor ChibuikeRotimiAmaechi brought to our towns and communities.
“So if you want a future and a greater Rivers State and Nigeria, built on justice, equity and progress, then vote APC. This is the only party that has the will to address insecurity, corruption, impunity, incompetence and all the ills plaguing Nigeria today. But if you want a party that will give guns to our children and dim our hope for a better Nigeria, then vote the other party.
“Let me also say here that I have not finished the roads in Ogoni. The good news however is that I am not coming to learn about road construction or Ogoni villages. I already know everywhere in Ogoni Land, so vote APC”.
Peterside later called on the Ogoni to reject the PDP for the criminal neglect of their place. He told supporters that it is in the best interest of the Ogoni to vote out President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP for their survival.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari (right) presenting Hon Dakuku Peterside’s Roadmap tp prosperity document to chairman, National; Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State, Mrs Lilian Okonkwo, during a courtesy visit to the commissioner’s office in Port Harcourt, yesterday