APC will accomplish Senator Tari James Sekibo’s vision of Rivers Governor of Ijaw extraction Come 2015—Peterside Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State has assured the family of late Senator Tari James Sekibo and the entire Okrika Divisional Council of Chiefs that his party, the APC, will achieve the departed statesman’s vision of Rivers governor of Ijaw extraction come 2015. Peterside said this in Okrika on Saturday 13 December at the burial of the late Sekibo who was a former president of Ijaw National Council, INC and a traditional chief of the famous Odo-Abaji War Canoe House of Okrika. He described the exit of the Ijaw leader as a great loss, not only to the Ijaw but to the entire country because of his ideas and philosophies. “This is why we must all come together regardless of our political affiliations to honour this great man of our time so that the ideas and philosophies he preached and pursued will not die. Many of us still remember his days at the Senate. In fact, he was regarded as head of the intellectual wing of the Senate by his contributions. He also gave sound ideas to our government and fought the Rivers cause. “As young Ijaw boys, we all looked up to him because of what he represented. So we must sustain the Ijaw cause for liberation which he fought and died for. Today, we the younger Ijaw are happy that all he preached is about to happen. Our quest for the governorship is at a touching distance and we must be grateful to him. Sekibo believed that every part of Rivers State must aspire to the highest position. He did not believe in the politics of exclusion or intimidation. And like our departed leader, our party believes in justice and equity, that is why APC supports the Ijaw aspiration. “I know that Senator Sekibo will be proud to tell our forebears that he fought for Rivers governor of Ijaw extraction and that even in death, the people he left behind have realised that dream. So when we accomplish his dream, we honour him in a very special way. This, I believe should be our collective resolve. “Our leader was also passionate about the development of Okrika, his home town. We must therefore join hands in developing this great Ijaw town because Okrika has given so much, not just to Rivers State but to Nigeria. Peterside who attended Okrika Grammar School, OGS also reminded his audience of his roots in Okrika. “I am your son. I am a product of Okrika Grammar School. For five years, I ate your food and drank your water. I also had the opportunity of receiving the best secondary education here. Without Okrika, my story will be incomplete. So when I had the opportunity of serving in government, I made sure we built the Okrika Ring Road. He however reminded everybody present about the meaning of Ijaw, which is truth. He therefore called on the traditional chiefs and Ijaw sons and daughters to always stand for truth, justice and equity. According to him, “that is the only way we can keep the memory of our father and great leader alive in our hearts and minds”. Sylvester Asoya Special Assistant (Media) to Dr. Peterside
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 16:10:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015