Ikwerre monarchs under the aegis of Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers (SCITR) have said they stand by the Isiokpo declaration endorsing Dr Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State to succeed Governor Chibuike Amaechi on May 29, 2015.
Paramount ruler of Oduoha-Ogbakiri community, Eze Ferdinand Ekenta, that of Rumuoro-Ogbakiri, Eze Charles Oboneme and the traditional ruler of Okporowo-Ogbakiri, Eze Emmanuel Echonwere, disclosed these in their separate speeches while receiving Peterside during his Ward to Ward campaign visit to Ogbakiri in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Ekenta said: “We, members of the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers, met at Isiokpo and gave confirmation that Dakuku Peterside will be the next governor. We are not going back on our endorsement of Dakuku Peterside.”
The monarchs disclosed that their decision to stand by Dr. Peterside, a position they described as irrevocable, was based on equity, track record of service, character, good neighbourliness and continuity, emphasizing that the future of Rivers State was more important in the consideration of who replaces Governor Amaechi.
In his speech, the APC governorship candidate, Peterside, said as a sign of his gratitude to the traditional rulers and Amaechi, he would not disappoint the people of Ikwerre ethnic nationality if elected governor of the state on April 11, 2015.
He said, “On the issue of governorship, you know that I am in the race. The Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers brought me out. They came together at Isiokpo to say, for the reputation and future of Ikwerre, they will not allow the selfishness of one Ikwerre man to destroy their image.
“They commissioned me to go and represent them. After eight years, will it be fair for Ikwerre to be governor again? I promise you, for this kind gesture from Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers, and our leader, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, I cannot disappoint Ikwerre people.”
Speaking during the rally at Okporowo Primary School field, Peterside said the only reason he is running for the governorship of the state is because of the people of the state, pointing out that “some of those contesting the governorship seat with me are doing so in order to have the opportunity to oppress the people,” declaring that “ I care for the poor”.
