Director of Publication, Rivers State Newspaper Corproation, Mrs Juliet Njiowhor (middle), Chairman, Editorial Board, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mr Dagogo Clinton (left) and Mrs Iwo Anucha, Director, Publication, Ministry of Informationand Communications during the familiarisation visit to the Corporation in Port Harcourt by the Permanent Secretary, recently. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

The governorship can
didate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has vowed to defend the independence of the judiciary, Dr. Dauku Peterside and provide effective justice administration system in Rivers State.
He made the pledge in Port Harcourt at a one-day interactive session with members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Rivers State branch.
Peterside who spoke extensively on justice administration and alternative dispute resolution, assured the bar that his government would put in place, measures to ensure smooth and speedy dispensation of justice. He also promised to provide modern infrastructure by ensuring that Rivers State courts were technology driven and compliant.
He described the law and lawyers as critical stakeholders in his resolve to build a modern state that would be a reference point in Nigeria and beyond.
“Justice administration is important because every other thing rests on the law. Security is one of our most important programmes and it rests solidly on the law. And if we are looking for a Rivers State that will be prosperous, then we must be looking at a Rivers State that will run on rule of law.
“In our road map, the judiciary as an arm of government will play an important role. We recognise and will guard its independence as already enshrined in the Constitution”.
Responding, the lawyers commended APC and the Greater Together Campaign Organisation for providing a platform for exchange of ideas. Barrister Vincent Chukwu who described the interactive forum as excellent, called on Peterside to continually engage opinions in course of  campaign.
He said “lawyers are expectant of the in-coming administration, adding that the candidate’s presence has further strengthened their hope of a better Rivers come May 29. He however pleaded with Peterside to help young lawyers by instituting interest-free loans and facilities that would ameliorate the challenge of practising law in today’s Nigeria.
In their presentations, Barrister Joseph Dents asked Peterside and the APC to keep to their promise of ensuring speedy dispensation of justice across the state while, Barrister Jessica Muga Mene called for employment opportunities for lawyers in public service, while  in his own contribution, Honourable Asita, a lawyer and Dr Peterside’s running mate promised to work with lawyers towards building a better Rivers State.
In conclusion, the APC candidate assured the lawyers that the crisis rocking the Rivers State judiciary would soon be over.
He promised to do everything possible to resolve the crisis which has seriously affected the livelihood of lawyers and other judicial officers.