The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has described the rousing reception which the Ogoni gave to the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, during this year’s Ogoni Day Celebration held last Sunday in Bori as a symbol of their endorsement of his candidature for the February 28, 2015 guber ballot.

Rivers APC in a statement issued this morning in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, expressed gratitude to the Ogoni for the gesture.

“We are not surprised that Dr. Dakuku Peterside stole the show at this year’s Ogoni Day, during which he ably represented the Rivers State Governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi. Having spent his formative years in Ogoni land, Dakuku Peterside is Ogoni at heart and regards Ogoni land as his second home. Therefore the 2015 Ogoni Day Celebration was for him essentially a homecoming,” Ikanya said.

The Party Chairman thanked Ogoni people for adopting Peterside as their governorship candidate, assuring that he will not disappoint them when he gets their mandate and the mandate of other Rivers people during the governorship polls. According to him, “Unlike some of the other candidates now seeking the votes of the Ogoni, Dakuku Peterside is not a fair weather friend but one who can be trusted at all times. He did not just grow up in Bori, the Ogoni heartland and political headquarters, but has also over the years fully identified with the Ogoni struggle for justice, equality and right. When the issue of the clean-up of Ogoni land came up on the floor of the Federal House of Representatives, he was among the few voices that spoke extensively on what the Nigerian State owes Ogoni people. He made a very strong case that Nigeria should do everything humanly possible to ensure that Ogoni land is cleaned-up, vowing not to rest if Ogoni land is not cleaned-up.”

Ikanya also recalled that when Dr. Peterside had the privilege of serving as the State Commissioner for Works, he, with the support of Governor Amaechi, constructed for the first time all roads in Bori. “These roads were solid structures which, till today, continue to bear testimony to what this great Rivers patriot will do if given the opportunity to serve as governor,” he said.

The State APC Chairman assured that, going by his track record of excellence, Dr. Peterside will build on the foundation laid by Governor Amaechi and display uncommon commitment to the peace, justice and progress of both Ogoni land and the entire Rivers State. He appealed to all registered voters in the State to make sure that they collect their Permanent Voters Cards as this is the only instrument they can use to enthrone Dr. Peterside as the next governor of the state for the sake of the present and future generations of Rivers State.

•Photo shows Peterside acknowledging cheers from the crowd during Sunday’s 2015 Ogoni Day Celebration at Bori.

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