The race for various elective
offices in the country has begun and as usual, lots of politicians have begun strategizing
on how to position themselves to get involved in the struggle for space in the
political firmament. Rivers state as usual is not also left out of the struggle
for power not with politicians in the state and their supporters jostling for
recognition one way or the other.
Some candidates who naturally
have no political base have also come out to seek attention as political
leaders. But as usual, when the time for real politicking does come, we all
know and do expect that the weeds will surely be separated from the chaff.
It is for this reason that one is
very inclined to look at the quest of one of the candidates for the post of
governorship of the state with a view to really articulating the chances and
desirability of his candidacy on the lives of the people of Rivers state.
It is not in doubt that our dear
state Rivers has been ruled by people from one geopolitical expression since
the inception of our democracy almost 16 years ago. What may certainly be in doubt
is if the leadership of the state today by the naturally populated upland
people does promote equity and unity for the state which naturally is divided
into the upland and riverine. The answer to this may be debatable but the truth
is that political power in the state sure needs to revolve between the geopolitical
zones that make up the state in this case the upland and riverine.
Much may have been said about the
erosion of the natural dichotomy that has been the factor for power sharing in
the state but as we all know, it can really not be wished away. What appears to
be in the heart of many Rivers political figures is who really amongst the
riverine politicians have the clout to wrest power from where it is today while
also not injuring the unity that has pervaded the state politically, culturally
and socially.
Without trying to mince words, I
remain very equivocal in stating that the candidacy of High Chief Dumo Lulu
Briggs stands heads and shoulders tall above that of other candidates even on a
level playing ground devoid of so called zoning arrangements. This is because
he has all it takes to bring positive change to the state and its people. He is
also looked upon by the teeming youths of the state as a real motivation for greatness.
This is not the first time this
young Rivers son with attraction for growth and development of our state based
on intellectualism and versatility will be gunning for the position of governor
of the state but it remains to be contradicted that this is the first time his
quest for the post will be receiving the sort of hype it is getting across the
state due to what some political watchers and observers have termed the maturation
of his quest to rule the state.
Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs has paid
his dues as a politician and has remained committed to his political party all
these years supporting Rivers youths, women and not forgetting the elders to
help them achieve their potentials in so many endeavours. This is a man whose
interest to see that our state is not polarized along vain ethnic lines remains
unparalleled. He is not the type of politician who is interested in going to
amass wealth for himself and his family rather a lot of us can vouch that he
has all it takes to bring greater wealth and riches to Rivers state using his
business and social contacts.
Our dear state has suffered so
much loss of pride in the past few years under the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
regime climaxing in his been seen as a
man drunken by the money he is seeing as governor of one of the richest states
in the country. This is not what we need. We need a governor who will be in
tune with the aspirations of the people he governs which in this case, is the
need to support Goodluck Ebele Jonathan our father and brother’s tenure as
President rather than disparaging him as the present governor is wont to.
Considering the wealth of the
state both in terms of human and natural blessings, it is a shame that we are
still were we are today. Governor Amaechi has failed the people of the state
and needs a better person to take over and clean the mess he has created and
the only person all Rivers people believe can do this better is none other than
the charismatic Dumo Lulu Briggs.
He has the zeal for change, the
love for his people and the very important factor which is respect for elders.
This is a quality that is lacking in most of the aspirants that have flagged
off today.
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