Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, today publicly explained why he desires to succeed incumbent governor, Rt. Hon. Rotitmi Amaechi in 2015.

In his acceptance speech after being elected unopposed during the primary election held at the Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt, Peterside said: “My desire to be the Governor of our dear State is a product of deep commitment to serve and a passion to expand economic opportunities for all our people. My aspiration is not about the pomp, perks and privileges of office, but out of a desire to make Rivers State greater.”

The election was supervised by a six-man National Electoral Committee under the chairmanship of Prince Austin Eweka from Edo State. After the collation of votes, Prince Eweka announced the outcome of the election as follows:

1. Total Number of Delegates – 4,574,

2. Total Number of delegates accredited – 4,321.

3. Total valid votes – 3914.

4. Total number that voted for Dr Dakuku Peterside – 3774.

5. Total invalid votes – 140

Among APC Rivers chieftains who graced the occasion were the party leader, Governor Amaechi, and Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru. Other special delegates included the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amachree Otelemba, members of the National Assembly from the state, members of Rivers State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, the CTC of the 23 Local Government Councils and Dr. Davies Ikanya, the APC State chairman.

Below is the text of Peterside’s acceptance speech entitled ‘Together We Can Make It Happen’:

“Let me begin by thanking everyone-delegates, party chieftains, elder statesmen and women, our vibrant young people, colleagues, gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen for being here today.

“Your presence here makes today historic and significant in the annals of our great party, APC and Rivers State, because today we pass on the baton in our quest to ensure that we consolidate on our dream of a greater Rivers state where everything good is possible.

“As witnesses to history, you all will agree with me that for the past seven years our State has made tremendous progress under our dynamic Governor and leader, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Despite the debilitating circumstances, impossible odds, enormous challenges and stormy political climate, our state has continued to march on in the path of prosperity. We have been ‘counting our blessings’ by the grace and mercy of God, and we will continue to depend on our God.

“Today by your votes and the considered decision of our leaders and elders you have entrusted upon my shoulders the mandate to carry further our shared vision of a greater Rivers State based on the vision and foundation our leader Governor Amaechi has laid in the past seven (7) years. I am humbled that amongst many qualified sons and daughters this august assembly has chosen me to carry your quest to seek the mandate to serve our people. I am humbled by this confidence you reposed in me, and accept this mandate with a keen sense of responsibility knowing full well that I will be accountable to God, Rivers people and our great party.

“May I crave your indulgence to specially acknowledge the sacrifice and commitment of some of our Leaders. My elder brother, friend and a distinguished patriot, Senator Magnus Abe as well as my boss and friend, His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Engr Tele Ikuru, FNSE; two men whose loyalty to the party and Rivers State is unequivocal. They are men whose honour and integrity are worthy of commendation and emulation. I shall be relying on them more and more in the coming days, months and years. May I also reassure these patriots, and fellow party men and women that your sacrifices will not be in vain.

“My desire to be the Governor of our dear State is a product of deep commitment to serve and a passion to expand economic opportunities for all our people. My aspiration is not about the pomp, perks and privileges of office, but out of a desire to make Rivers State greater. I have had the privilege of political tutelage under our leader and I have seen his passion for excellence and a new and better Rivers State. I have been challenged by this passion and believe that a greater Rivers State is possible if we all join hands.
“Together I believe we can provide leadership that will accelerate the actualisation of a greater Rivers dream of improved middle class, first class safe environment, equal and more socio-economic opportunities and create a greater sense of community, a Rivers State that will be the pride of Africa.

“Our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is a party of ideas. One that believes in the unity of people to achieve set goals of socio-economic prosperity, functional infrastructure; and building an educated and healthy people. I will pursue the manifesto of our great party with all my youthful vigour, talent, your support and the guidance of our elders.

“To our youths, I am one of you. I am conscious of the fact that I represent our generation. The world, Rivers people and our elders are watching, how we will utilise our youthful energy, intellect, zeal and exposure in taking our state to the next level. On my honour, I promise I will not disappoint you. Together we cannot afford to disappoint them. If not for nothing, the outpouring of your love and that of our parents about my candidature inspires me more to succeed.

“I wish to say in the days ahead I will present to the world our ‘Roadmap to Prosperity’ which will be our covenant with Rivers people. In doing this, I want to say it loud and clear that I believe in a united Rivers State and will continue to work for that. In my charter of service, we are going to create opportunity for all. We have got to grow this economy. People will have incentives to make long-term investment in Rivers and reap rewards. We will encourage productivity and discourage rent seeking. We will continue to build on the legacies we have inherited by investing more money in qualitative education and emerging technologies to help keep high-paying jobs here in Rivers State. Security will continue to be our topmost priority. Fortunately, for us our leader, Governor Amaechi has laid an undeniable and irreversible foundation for accelerated growth.

“Our covenant with God therefore is to serve and to be a blessing to Rivers people unto his glory.

“Today however, is only the beginning of our journey together. We will be coming round to each of you as we fine tune our agenda for consolidating on the change that we enjoy. I appeal to everyone here and to all our people to please endure my ‘troubles and harassments’ as we will need to come back to you again and again to ensure that we deliver on this assignment to your complete satisfaction. Am convinced that as the scriptures say ‘in the multitude of counsel, there is safety. I will therefore repeatedly seek your counsel as we work to deliver the Rivers of our dreams.

“Finally let me congratulate our party leaders and members for being a reference for peace, orderliness, brotherliness and respectable internal democracy. What is clear is that we are one family, bound together and united for the good of our people and the peace of our state.

“Together, we are committed to a functional participatory democracy;

“Together, we are building a greater Rivers State;

“Together, we believe;

“Together, we make it happen;

“Greater Together, under God, we flourish.”

•Photo shows Dakuku Peterside delivering his acceptance speech after being elected Rivers APC governorship candidate . . . today in Port Harcourt.

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