The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has congratulated its governorship candidate for the February 28 election, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, on his endorsement by royal fathers in the state, describing it as a sign of his imminent victory during the forthcoming polls.

The party in a statement issued this afternoon by its Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said that Dakulu Peterside has so far visited and received the blessings of First Class Kings in Rivers State such as King Kaleh Obuge, Oda Abuan King of Abua; Onneh eh Eleme, King Ejire; Eze Ekpeye Logbo Eze Robinson Robinson; Amanyanabo of Bonny, King Edward Asimini Pepple; and the Kalabari Monarch, King TJT Princewill.

According to Ikanya, “Out of all the kingdoms so far visited by Dr. Peterside, his visit to the Ikwerre Kingdom is the most audacious as he was duly received and endorsed by the Ikwerre Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers in Isiokpo, the spiritual and traditional headquarters of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality as the sole governorship candidate for the Ikwerre nationality for the February 28 election. The Council comprises First Class and all Government-recognised traditional rulers in the four Ikwerre local government areas in Rivers State which comprise Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, Emohua and Ikwerre.

“The Council, which declared that its endorsement of Dr. Peterside, was out of its resolve to uphold equity and justice by ensuring that the riverine section of the state produced the next governor, emphasised that by its action, no other governorship candidate would receive its endorsement. The paramount rulers enjoined all Ikwerre sons and daughters all over the world to support Dr. Peterside come February, 28. Significantly, the PDP gubernatorial candidate is a son of the Ikwerre Kingdom and with his rejection by his people we can now understand why his camp is now in disarray.

“The significance of this historical endorsement is that all the past governors of Rivers State, including Dr Odili and Governor Amaechi, were once endorsed by this body of Royal Fathers before they were elected to be Governors thereby foreclosing Chief Wike from governing Rivers State come May, 2015.

“The overwhelming endorsement of the candidature of Dr. Dakuku Peterside by our revered traditional rulers is a sign of imminent victory and yet one more proof that Rivers APC made the right choice in electing him to fly our flag during the February 28 governorship election. Dr. Peterside is a well-brought-up youthful manager of men and resources who has been prepared for leadership by the invaluable lessons he received from elders across the State.”

Ikanya in the statement issued in Port Harcourt assured the royal fathers that Dakuku Peterside will not disappoint them but will live up to expectation if given the mandate on February 28. “Dr. Peterside has tremendous respect for the traditional institution; he will not only carry our respected royal fathers along if voted into power but will also build on the solid foundation laid by Governor Chibuike Amaechi,” Dr. Ikanya said.

He added: “With Peterside as Governor, Rivers State would be in the best possible hands because he is an accomplished manager of men and resources widely accepted by all the sections of the State for being a symbol of unity, visionary, egalitarian and, most importantly, a great patriot whose love for Rivers State and her people is infectious. Peterside is a man who has earned a reputation as a charismatic and disciplined leader; creative and hardworking, a broad-minded fellow with strategic insights. His election as the next Governor of Rivers State will usher in an era of peace and greatness for our beloved State.”

The Rivers APC Chairman noted that while Rivers monarchs and elders have embraced Peterside, they have vehemently rejected the candidature of Chief Nyesome Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “It is not surprising that Wike’s camp is in disarray as he has been rightly rejected by Rivers State Elders and Leaders, who see his imposition as an affront and a symbol of injustice since it is another way of saying that our riverine brothers have no right to produce the Governor of our dear State. We call on all Rivers people to collect their Permanent voters Cards and to use this wisely on February 28 by voting massively for Peterside and for the APC,” Ikanya said.

•Photo shows Dakuku Peterside being blessed by King JTJ Princewill.

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