by Roland Numofagha
Rivers state like we all know was created on the 27th day of May 1967 out of the then old eastern region, since then it has been seen as power house in Nigerian politics with its past leaders amassing great followership. it has played a major role in the socio-economic well being of the Niger Delta Region and Nigeria at large, as it is the centre of Nigeria’s oil economy.
Rivers state is old enough to choose its own leader, like it has always done since the advent of democratic rule in 1999 which brought to power Sir Dr Peter Odili under the platform of the ruling party PDP not without stiff opposition from defuct APP and Later SDP that had candidates Like Chief Ebinezer Isokariaria, and Sergent Awuse he swept the polls with landslide victories, in The history of Rivers state it, PDP has always been the original and only party of Rivers people, Just like Odili, and Amaechi also swept their opponents under the PDP including, Prince Tonye Princewill, former Transport Minister Abiye Sekibo and also Sir Celestine Omehia a fomer Governor of Rivers state, as the political drums begins to beat within Portharcourt and its axis various political groups are building up their ship for smooth sailing in the murky waters within the armbit of Rivers state.
The PDP in the past 13 years of its dominance both in the Local Level and the state house of Assembly has always gone through its normal ritual to provide a candidate worthy of its stature as the largest party in Africa in delivering the dividends of Democracy. The PDP in its magnanimity has always played an open door policy to all sundries (members of PDP) interested in gunning for the party ticket. It has never been this good for the PDP to have on its Arsenal big wigs of Rivers politics which include astute politicians, Academia, Oil magnates, Businessmen, Public servants with difference which includes Prof Don Baridam, Chief Nyesome Wike, Hon Nimi Walson-Jack, Chief Lulu Briggs, Prince Tonye Princewill, Elemchukwu Egbowo, Samson Ngeribara, Hon Beks Dagogo-Jack, Major Lancelot Anyaya, Oseleye Ojuka with such tested and Influential leaders in their various field of endeavor..it is glaring and evidently visible that PDP in Rivers state remains the party to beat come next year. Whoever wins the party primary will definitely win the race to succeed Amaechi at the brick house come 2015
It is a well know facts that those who have Governed Rivers in the past has never been determined by those who throw money around one PDP aspirants claim. The point is clear APC has never won election in Rivers state, In Rivers state one thing is synonym the people vote party not individual, I don’t know where APC will get the vote to defeat PDP in 2015, it is suicidal for anyone to even imagine it. Another Aspirant pointed out that the people of Rivers state has never align themselves to the minority party which is APC in the state.
Spanish American Philosopher George Santayana said Those who do not learn from history are condemned to read its mistake. Heading towards the 2015 Governorship election the PDP has witnessed a rebirth and the party is waxing stronger both at local and state levels.
The APC is using it last atom of strength in trying to throw in the spanner at works, they are in shock at the way PDP has grown beyond their imagination..Recently in Benin the President said APC only exist on billboard while the PDP is among the people, the people has agreed amongst themselves that a man or character, discipline committed and steadfast must take over from the incumbent which only PDP portrays. Those who cherish Democracy must stand up and be counted…..
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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.
Roland is a Graduate from the University of Port Harcourt with a degree in Educational Management and Political science follow him on twitter @comr_roland
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