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…Peterside accepts decision, pledges loyalty
By Joel Anekwe
True to speculations making the rounds for some time now, leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi has finally picked businessman and Kalabari son, Tonye Dele Cole as his preferred candidate for Rivers governorship race in 2019.
The announcement confirmed a long-standing rumour around the former governor’s likely choice, even though he had earlier announced his preference for a riverine governor for the state.
Also, it might have been a surprise to political watchers in the state who had concluded that given the closeness between the minister and director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, he would stick with him since he (the NIMASA boss) also is from the riverine.
A statement from the state publicity secretary of the APC, Chris Finebone, conveying Amaechi’s decision, said: “We are aware that not all would find it easy to accept the decision but I am also conscious that the decision was made for the best interests of the party and the group”.
The former Rivers State governor also against all expectations in 2014 chose Dr. Peterside over his then close friend and political ally, Sen. Magnus Abe. His decision to dump Peterside for Cole this time around is reportedly hinged on the need to get a neutral candidate around whom every interest in the state APC could coalesce.
He stated: “We are aware that interests are divergent and numerous and that they can only coalesce if we get someone neutral; someone who is able to get every interests to converge as one”.
“What is critical is victory. Loyalty is not only when it favours you, but when you are tempted and stretched to your limits. Ventilate we must but to move ahead, we also must as the battles ahead are numerous and tedious. You all urged me on to proceed to make a decision and swore to stand by that decision. The time has therefore come to so do. Good morning my fellow compatriots and wish that we stand with each other to bring down this evil Government. God bless all of us”, Amaechi said.
Meanwhile, Peterside has issued a statement accepting the decision and pledging his loyalty and commitment to work for the victory of the party in 2019.
In a separate statement, also from Finebone, the APC governorship candidate in 2015 said “I stand by the decision,” adding that he believed that it was for the overall interest of the APC in Rivers State.
In the statement titled ‘Unity To Triumph,’ Peterside stated: “We have toiled from 2013 to date (a period of five years) and have made sacrifices and lost lives in course of enthroning the kind of government we want in Rivers State; a government that will guarantee peace, unity and prosperity. In course of the struggle we bonded as one indivisible family under God.
“The decision by the Leader has been met with mixed reactions, which is expected. My appeal is that we allow the greater interest of APC and Rivers State to prevail.
“To those who believe in the vision I shared in the past 5 years, the leadership I gave at various times and the path of loyalty to the cause I have chosen over time, I urge you all to stand by the Leader, the party and the ordinary people of Rivers State in support of TDC . I personally pledge my loyalty to the Leader, who is to me family and the decision he has made. I enjoin all my supporters to queue behind our leader Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and ensure total victory for our party. I pray for unity among the members of APC & victory in the 2019 election,” he said.
But Finebone clarified that the party would still conduct a primary election for the governorship slot to confirm the decision.
