The past two weeks have been filled with campaigns by various political parties ahead of tomorrow’s local government elections in Rivers State.
In Port Harcourt and Obio, Akpor Local Government Areas, the campaigns have taken the colour of carnival as youths move from Ward to ward to sell their candidates.
Already, youths in Obio/Akpor LGA had thrown their support behind Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo, the APP (Action Peoples Party) candidate for tomorrow’s elections.
At a campaign gathering in Rumuodomaya Civic Centre, they pledged to mobilize voters across all units to ensure his victory.
Hon. Prince Bekwele Wopara, Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Obio/Akpor Chapter), praised Ihunwo for his past efforts in empowering the youth, both as a former youth leader and caretaker chairman. He emphasised that the youths would be out in full force to vote for him.
Comrade Lucky Ayaogu, leader of One Million Youths for Sim, echoed the same sentiment, urging the youths to vote en masse on election day.
In response, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo promised more empowerment initiatives and grassroots development, assuring them that no outside influence would derail the election.
Meanwhile, as part of support for the local government elections, a pro-political body that labeled itself Simplicity Movement has thrown its weight in support of the elections.
Leader of the Simplicity Movement in Rivers State, Chief Sogboma Jackreece during a solidarity march in Port Harcourt, said the body is founded out of the love for the state Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara’s leadership style.
He noted that the governor’s leadership  has brought unprecedented achievements in Rivers State within the short period in office.
He declared the total support of the body to Governor Fubara to promote good governance, stating that plots by some elements to frustrate Governor Fubara’s leadership will be resisted.
Receiving the group, the State Governor, Sir. Fubara charged members of Simplicity Movement to protect the integrity of Rivers State, defend its commonwealth and dispense the dividends of good governance in the State.
The governor tasked the body to shun violence and embrace the peace mantra that has been the hallmark of his administration.
He thanked the group for their voluntary support to his administration at a time when some people are procuring artificial loyalty and support.
“I  need to set the record straight. I hardly come out to receive people when they come for solidarity. But I had a reason for coming out today. My coming out here is to show the leadership of this movement that I didn’t lobby them, they gathered and said they want to support us.”
“You know at this time, people are paying people to support them but we don’t do it, people come out on their own to show support. Knowing the calibre of the founder of this group and the role he played with the other people and him choosing to be part of the success of our administration, I decided to honour him by coming to address you.”
“Our message is very simple and straight. We must join our hands together,  everyone of us must protect our State. We must defend the dignity of our State. We must ensure that the common wealth of this State belongs to everyone, that is why our slogan is Rivers first. Because we believe that if we take Rivers first, there won’t be crime, there won’t be hunger, and there will be employment.”
Fubara said the local government elections in the State will hold as scheduled on October 5 and urged the group and Rivers people to participate actively in the LG polls.
“Our journey is just starting. We are preparing for elections on October 5. I want you to participate actively in that election. That election is going to be the turnaround. It will be the rebirth of a new and strong structure that doesn’t belong to anybody. And you can see that is why they are running everywhere to stop it.”
“What is structure? Structure is ownership, the one who controls the LGA, the one who controls the resources, the one who gives employment to our people, the one who shares the State and the local government resources among his people. And that is what I want this government to stand for. So please ensure that you participate in that election.”
“That election is a very important ingredient that will help us chart the new phase or will I say, the second phase of our struggle. But the most important thing is that I want you to maintain the peace that I preach all the time. This State is dear to me and anyone who loves this State will understand that what is important is to maintain peace.”
Governor Fubara described his emergence as Governor of Rivers State at this period as an act of providence which goes with a deep sense of responsibility and called for the total support of Rivers people to succeed.
“I can also say this here, if Fubara is not here, God would have also provided another person that would have also taken this cause, because it is a divine cause.  However, we are the one here, we will stand with you and with your support we will do the work to the end.”

Kevin Nengia