Dr Dakuku Peterside, Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Wednesday evening met with the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun to finalise strategies to restore the electoral fortunes of the party in Rivers state with resounding victory.
Although both men met behind closed doors, sources privy to their discussions said topmost on the agenda is Saturday’s Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly legislative rerun elections in the state.
Peterside, who came to the Secretariat in company of some expatriates at about 4:00 p.m. however met with Oyegun and other national officers in their offices to consult with the leadership of the party ahead the elections.
On his way out of the secretariat, the former APC governorship candidate in the state was overheard saying, ”They will bow! They will bow!”, apparently referring to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Although Peterside declined to answer media enquiries, sources said the visit was to thank the party leaders for his appointment and perfect plans against Saturday’s re-run elections in his home state.
A statement by the Rivers State APC Chairman on Tuesday urged the residents of Rivers South West to punish Governor Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic party by voting masssively for the APC candidates in the Senate, House of Reps and State Assembly elections on Saturday.
He said: “If there is a time to pay back both Wike and PDP for their evil acts against this zone, the March 19th rerun election is the appropriate time. We therefore plead with the voters in Rivers South West to vote in APC’s Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan Amachree
as their Senator. The party further stated that with Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Daniel Amachree, a one time Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the longest serving member in any State House of Assembly in Nigeria, having served his constituency a record four times, from 1999 till 2015 coupled with his legendary contribution to the nationally acclaimed stability of the Rivers State House of Assembly since 1999; this one-time Chairman of South-South Speakers Conference in recognition of his leadership acumen, Rivers State can be assured that their feelings and interests will be highly protected and guided jealously by this great lawmaker in the Upper Chamber.”
The party urged the Rivers South West electorate to also vote for the party’s candidate for the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Dr Dawari George a one-time Commissioner for Energy in Rivers State considering his feats in the Federal House of Assembly and other APC candidates from this zone that is the strong base of APC to bring to pass the prophecy foretold.
It listed the APC’s House of Reps candidates for Rivers South West as:
Hon. Nname Robinson Ewor of Aelga/Abolga Federal Constituency,
Hon. Dr. Dawari George of Akulga/Asalga Federal Constituency, and
Hon. Aye Atamah Pepple of Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency.
As for the State House of Assembly, APC gave the names of the party’s candidates as:
Barr. Eric Apia of Ahoada East I,
Hon. Nwuche Ibiso N. of Ahoada East II
Engr. Inye Jack of Akuku-Toru
Benibo Anabraba F. Of Akuku-Toru II
Hope Barango-Tariah of Asari-Toru I
Hon. Godstime E. Horsfall of Asari-Toru II
Hon. Henry Halliday of Bonny
Hon. Eldred T. L. Braide of Degema, and
Hon. Gift E. Wokocha of Onelga.