All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has averred that Rivers people are politically sophisticated and as such, no one could influence how they would vote during elections.

Dr. Peterside was speaking at a rally in Opobo, headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro LGA organised by Reevas Progressive Front (RPF), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), where over five hundred PDP members defected to APC in the LGA.

He said that against recent claims by Governor Nyesom Wike, Rivers people know their real leaders who have their interest at heart, and not opportunists taking advantage of the economic situation to embarrass them. “Rivers people know who their true leaders are; not those who presently take advantage of the harsh economic situation to hoodwink and turn them into articles of political and financial merchandise.”

Speaking further, Dakuku Peterside described the past seven years as one of the worst era in Rivers State because of a leadership driven by selfish interest and unbridled ego. “There is no doubt that the last seven remain the worst in Rivers’ history. The ordinary Rivers man and woman were left out of governance while those in authority enriched themselves, appropriated the people’s commonwealth and shamelessly brandished even that which they stole, before the people. Rivers people never had it this bad”, the former NIMASA DG noted.

Dakuku Peterside, who is a former Member, Federal House of Representatives, noted that the Opobo and Nkoro ethnic groups were one of the most politically enlightened stocks in Rivers State even as he averred that they could not be deceived or blackmailed with any Greek gift as Gov. Wike is doing at theory. “Opobo/Nkoro people are one of the most politically enlightened stocks in Rivers State and no one can deceive us with a Greek gift. Gov. Wike had opportunity of developing Opobo-Nkoro in the past seven years but did not do it. He preferred to fret away our resources junketing abroad searching for personal relevance that will not add value to Rivers State and her people”, he said.

Dakuku Peterside stated that at the appropriate time Opobo and Nkoro people would openly prove to Wike that they well took note of his neglect of the area. “We will remind our people how much Wike and his cohorts failed them and why we cannot continue in that trajectory”, he stressed.

Continuing, the former federal lawmaker said that Nigerians had been unanimous in the type of leaders they would elect in 2023. “Nigerians are unanimous that the next election will be about character, competence and service delivery. It will not be about ethnicity. Opobo- Nkoro people know that a competent Governor with character they would be proud of would be superior to brandishing ethnic sentiment.”

While urging Rivers people to “keep hope alive”, Dakuku Peterside commended the NGO and others who took part in the rally.

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