As the countdown for the August 30, Council elections in Rivers State approaches, party candidates for the Chairmanship and Councillorship elections have been speaking on their plans and manifestoes for their respective Council areas if elected into office.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area,
Dr. Chukwu Shedrack Ogbogu who spoke to newsmen after being screened by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) said if elected in the August 30, elections, he will run an all inclusive administration that will reintegrate some of the people who has been displaced and allienated by crises in the area and make ONELGA one again.
On infrastructure, Dr. Ogbogu said he will emulate his principal to make ONELGA a project site. “I am a student of Mr. Project and I am going to act like him. ONELGA should expect to be turned into a project site. He promised to work with existing security structures to strengthen the security of the area adding that promotion of agriculture was inclusive in his plans for the council area.
Also, the All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairmanship candidate and Former executive chairman of Tai local government, Mbakpone Okpe promised to replicate his past developmental efforts through empowering and capacity building of the people adding that he will prioritize the promotion of agriculture in line with President Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts towards making food available to Nigerians.
“If the President is doing it, then that policy will trickle down and it is expected that all of us at the states and the local government level would do so. I am assuring that we will do excellently well in the agricultural sector in Tai,” he said.
On infrastructure, Hon. Mbakpone said his administration if elected will delve into providing basic infrastructure and facilities in particularly those communities that were not favoured in his previous administration. “I will make the people enjoy the dividends of Democracy in Tai,” Mbakpone declared.
On his part, the All Progressive Congress APC Chairmanship for Etche local government, Hon. Chima Njoku, told newsmen of his plans to add to what other former Chairmen in the area had done in the local government adding that if elected he will prioritize human capital development in his administration.
“Etche people, we have gotten markets through the last administrations, we will concentrate on human capital development to develop the human beings so that they can go and buy the goods in those markets. You can’t build the markets and there are no capital to patronize the markets,” he stated.
Hon Njoku stated that he plans to deal more with the local people, the traders, elderly and those within the locality stressing that Etche being the food basket of the state, his administration will encourage agriculture activities in the area.
Also speaking, the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Mayor of Port Harcourt City Council (PHALGA), Prince Chioma Chinwo, urged the RSIEC to ensure free and fair elections at the polls to enable the voters make their choices.
Prince Chinwo, however advised his party supporters not to be intimidated but should come out and vote for their candidate of choice. “Nobody can intimidate the people because the people’s mandate must always stand out. LP is still strong and intact,” he said.
For Anderson Ipalibo of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) Chairmanship candidate for Abua-Odua local government area, his vision for Abua- Odual would be anchored on Agriculture, Education, Health, Transportation and provision of electricity for the rural areas of the local government adding that skill acquisition and empowering the people will equally be given priority attention if elected as the executive Chairman of the Council.
“Let Abua people be assured that I am the next Chairman of the Council”, the candidate declared.
The LP Chairmanship candidate for Oyigbo, Hon. Darlington Chioma Okega stated his vision to make Oyigbo great again pointing out that the local council had lacked dedicated leadership over the years.
“My plans if elected is to change things in Oyigbo, so that in less than one year, people will know that there is a government in place. I have a lot of things to put in place. All I need is for God to give me the wisdom and also to Oyigbo people to vote for me,” he stated.
Another LP candidate for Bonny local government, Prince Tonye Jeminimiema said he will hinge his campaigns on the mantra that “A new Bonny is possible,” adding that if elected he will tackle issues of the enviroment, health, unemployment and the security challenges of the Bonny waterways.
“The companies in Bonny are not enough to accommodate the large numbers of the unemployed. So the Government will ensure we provide jobs. We will ensure that the sea is secured against piracy,” he said.
Amb. Jeminimiema who is the honourable speaker of the Rivers Youths Assembly of Nigéria equally pledged to tackle and bring to end the issues of youth restiveness in the area adding that he remains the choice of the people. While charging the electoral body to ensure strict adherence to the rules guiding the elections.
Dr. Jeminimiema called on Bonny people to come out enmass and vote for the LP adding that God brought him to liberate the people of the island.
The Councillorship candidate for PHALGA Ward 13, Hon. Orlu Noble Ibekam told newsmen that he has the support of the people of his Ward to return to the PHALGA Legislative Assembly because of his previous performance in the Council.
The former Chairman of Rivers Councillors Forum stated that he did a lot to empower members of his Ward during his stay in the Council and pledged to deliver more dividends of Democracy to his Ward if he is returned as the Councillor for the Ward. “I have assured them that I will show capacity in Port Harcourt Council. If you want to know, just go to my ward and asked of the Leader,” Hon. Ibekam declared.
