By Akinwale Kasali
A failed Governorship candidate of Rivers State opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Dakuku Peterside, who was also a one-term Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, has lashed the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and his administration. Peterside described the past seven years of Wike’s administration as the worst era in Rivers State because of “leadership driven by selfish interest and unbridled ego”.
He accused Wike of using every opportunity, and of taking advantage of the harsh economic situation to hoodwink and turn them into articles of political and financial merchandise.
The former Member of the House of Representatives added that Rivers State people are politically sophisticated and conscious.
He said that contrary to popular belief, the people know beyond the antics of GovernorWike-led Rivers State Government.
Peterside made the statement while speaking at an APC rally in Opobo, Headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.
The statement was titled, ‘Rivers people are politically sophisticated — Dakuku Peterside’.
Speaking on the 2023 elections, Peterside averred that Rivers people are politically sophisticated and as such, no one could influence how they would vote during elections.
He said that contrary to recent claims Wike, Rivers people know their real leaders who have their interests at heart, and not those taking advantage of the economic situation to embarrass them.
“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,” he said.
He noted that the Opobo and Nkoro ethnic groups were one of the most politically enlightened stocks in Rivers, and argued that as such, they could not be deceived or blackmailed with any Greek gift.
“Opobo/Nkoro people are one of the most politically enlightened stocks in Rivers State and no one can deceive us with a Greek gift. Governor Wike had the opportunity of developing Opobo-Nkoro in the past 7 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.
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.
“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 a character they would be proud of would be superior to brandishing ethnic sentiment”.
Peterside is an ally of the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, a two-time Governor of the State.
