Rivers 2023 : APC vows victory, despite gale of resignations

By Philip Ezuma, P/ Harcourt

The Rivers State chapter of All Progressives’ Congress APC, has vowed its commitment and determination to take over the state, come 2023 general elections.

Making the declaration yesterday in Port Harcourt, was an Ex-member of the Federal House of Representatives’ FHR, and governorship aspirant Rt Hon Sokonte Davies.

Confirming the exit of some top members, he observed that those people had only resigned their membership, but had not yet joined other ones.

Refering to exit/resignation of Ex-Chairman, Reconciliation Committee, Rivers APC, Dr Dawari George, ex- Information Commissioner Mrs Ibim Seminitari, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s former strong loyalist Tonye Princewill, among others, the former Executive Director of Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, observed they never alleged anywhere, they were denied any opportunity, in the past, arguing, they had the right to leave the party at their own time.

Interpreting the feelings of the APC about their exit, he regretted it. “Actually, resigning from the party at a time as this, is a little bit burdersom. If I were in their shoes, I would have waited for elections period to be over”.

On its effect, with respect to the forthcoming elections, the party leader and Amaechi’s follower, declared emphatically that, it will not in any way affect the Rivers APC negatively.

“I can state boldly, without demeaning the quality of the persons, especially Dr Dawari George, it won’t jeopardize our victory chances, come 2023.

“Much as their exit from our party, is not desirable, there are other people of near
quality or commensurate quality, also entering our party, with the capacity to influence young people, or at least the level of their dispodency, as a result of Dawari George and others’ regnation.”

“The resignation of those few persons cannot have the capacity to drastically affect the chances of a political party as the APC in Rivers State, if you are aware of the citizens’ fate in the hand of the current government”, he reasoned.

Expressing total faith in the capacity of the immediate past Transportation Minister, former governor and leader of the party, the charismatic politician of Kalabari extraction, vouched that, the APC is currently consulting, reconciling and negotiating, with leaders and members, to emerge more united, focused and determined to take over the State by 2023.

“Even the exited members cannot ascribe the claim to themselves, including Dr Dawari George, who I know to be forth right. Yet there are more others, who want to join us, but will be unveiled at the appropriate time.”

Reacting to the insinuation that the party never recognized their loyalty and contributions, he denied the claim, describing it as a mere figment of imagination.

Sokonte H. Davies Ph. D., prided that, their guber candidate Pastor Tonye Cole, is the best brand, any political party could present for election.

“A sound mind and successful business mogul, he is the one who to return the wasted economic fortunes and opportunities of our dear state.”

“He has the exposure, experience, clout and political will, to push us beyond the glorious era of ex-governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi,” he submitted up.

On the rumour that some of those who left disapproved of the choice of Mr Udi Udom, as the Minister for Environment, he discharged it with a wave of hand, pointing out that, it was not possible to access somebody, who had not yet spent up to a month in the office.

Rt Hon Davies demanded to know the yard stick to measure the level of competence, and if any of those agitators (if any), had been a minister before.

“Only those who have been Ministers before, can talk about ministerial portfolios, or do they know better than the President, who appointed him”, he querried.

He vouched the competence of Mr Udi Udom, arguing, “the taste of the pudding is in eating,” and also cited the case of the former Information Commissioner Mrs Ibim Seminitari, when appointed the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC. ‘She went there and performed creditably.”

The ex- FHR.
member, reviewing the Minister’s profile further, told Nigerian Pilot that, Mr Udi Udom, had been a-two-term Local Government Area LGA Chairmanl, thus had been exposed to challenges of executive powers and responsibilities.

He urged the State to pray for the success of of their brother and advise constructively, in areas they know he can do better, especially, if and when they know his work schedule and terms of reference.