The All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leaders in Rivers State have endorsed the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Siminialayi Fubara for the March 18 2023 election.
The youth leaders, who hold various positions in the party’s Campaign Council and in their various local government areas, also accused a former Transport Minister and state’s Leader of the party, Rotimi Amaechi, of anti-party activities.
The Assistant Director, Media and Strategic Communication, Tonye Cole Campaign Organisation, Ikenda Elechi spoke on behalf of the youths in Port Harcourt.
Elechi explained that the choice of Sir Funara answered both the call for a riverine governor and the rotation of governorship to the Rivers Southeast Senatorial district, which he said had suffered marginalization.
He confessed that Amaechi committed anti-party when he directed them to vote for the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abunakar in the February 25, 2023 election.
He said: “As you are aware, during the Presidential and National Assembly contests, the former Transportation Minister, Rt. Hon, Chibuike Amaechi adopted, endorsed and directed party members in the State to vote for the candidate of the opposition People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar against that of our Party, the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.
“Although those of us seated here and other of our supporters did not heed the directive, we were nonetheless aware of it.”
Elechi said Amaechi’s directive threw the party supporters in the State into confusion, “so much so that it cost the party her National Assembly seats.”
He said: “Since then,that directive has remained active and till this very moment, not been rescinded.
“It is therefore on the strength of that directive that we are gathered here to make the following declarations;
“We salute Rivers people on their support towards our Presidential Candidate Bola Tinubu during the last elections
“We commend the Governor of Rivers State, Barr Nyesom Wike for his stance on power returning to the South after eigjt years of Northern rule which is in line with the dreams of our (Rivers) founding Fathers
“We acknowledge the support of the Governor, his supporters and the good people of the State without whom the party would have, once again, lost the presidential elections in the State as was the case in previous elections.
“In the spirit of reciprocity and good fate, we align ourselves with call by the leader of the Party in the State, Chief Tony Okocha that the party returns the favour done her by the Governor and people of Rivers State
“In view of the above therefore, we, the youths of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers State, hereby, without any form of hesitation, endorse and adopt Sir Siminialayi Fubara as the preferred choice of the Party for the Governorship of Rivers State in the March 18 election.”
“The APC, being a Party of Justice and fairness, Sir Siminialayi Fubara answers both the question of Riverine Governorship as well as in keeping with the principle of power rotation wherein Power should rotate to the Rivers South-East Senatorial Zone, the only Zone yet to produce the Governor of our dear State.”
“We call on other candidates to step down for Sir Fubara in the spirit of good faith and enjoin Rivers people to vote him accordingly.”