A former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has described governance in the last seven years as the worst in the history of the state.
He also said that Rivers people are politically conscious for anyone to influence their choice.
Speaking at a rally in Opobo, headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Peterside said that contrary to claims of Governor Nyesom Wike, Rivers people knew leaders who have their interests at heart.
In a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, the former NIMASA boss averred that Rivers people are politically sophisticated and as such, no one could influence how they would vote during elections.
“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.”
He said the Wike-led administration is the worst leadership the state has experienced because of what he described as “leadership driven by selfish interest and unbridled ego.”
“There is no doubt that the last seven years 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 said.
The chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state stated that the Opobo/Nkoro ethnic groups were “one of the most politically enlightened stocks in Rivers State and no one can deceive us with a Greek gift.”
According to him, “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.”
Peterside added that at the appropriate time the people would openly prove to Wike that they took note of his neglect of the area, adding that Nigerians are 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 a character they would be proud of would be superior to brandishing ethnic sentiment,” he added.
