18th November, 2022
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Farah Dagogo, has predicted a landslide victory for presidential joint flag bearers of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in Rivers State and South-South geopolitical zone in the 2023 election.
Dagogo predicated his conviction on the commitment of the presidential joint flag bearers to tackle the lingering political aspirations of Rivers State and South-South geopolitical zone.
The federal lawmaker said the pledge by Atiku to immediately tackle the twin problems of restructuring and resource control on assumption of office will endear him to the South-South region.
Atiku had at a meeting with the Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE, in Lagos, assured Nigerians, that he has put the nagging issues of restructuring and resource control in the front burner of his administration.
Atiku explained that a draft amendment bill for the restructuring of Nigeria, prepared by expert lawyers, he (Atiku)in collaboration with major and critical stakeholders from the different geo-political zones, picked was ready and would be introduced to the National Assembly on the first day of sitting of the 10th Assembly, next year, as an Executive Bill.
According to Ibrahim Lawal, his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Dagogo who spoke at sidelines of the NGE meeting said that drive of the presidential candidate of the party has further justified the support and confidence the people of the South-South and other geo- political zones of the country reposed in the leadership qualities of the former Vice President and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa.
He described Atiku ‘as reliable and a man of integrity, who over the years matched words with action’ , promising that ‘his restructuring and resource control drive which encapsulate his ( Atiku’s) five point development agenda align with his character and deeds.’
Dagogo said Atiku is the only Presidential candidate that came prepared and his victory in the South South and other parts of Nigeria is not in doubt.
The Federal Lawmaker noted that the choice of Okowa as Atiku’s running mate, was genius masterstroke as, according to him ‘ Okowa is not only of the Igbo and Niger Delta extraction, he is also one of the best brains from the Southern Part of the country’.
“Part of the problems that had bedevilled our country in recent times is the need to address the restructuring menace and that of resource control, which is paramount to the people of the Niger Delta and other regions in the country with natural resources.
“For the first time, we have a candidate aspiring to the highest office in the country who is willing to tackle those issues heads on.
“To demonstrate his commitment and readiness, he assembled legal experts, in collaboration with major and critical stakeholders from the various geo-political zones, to draft the restructuring amendment bill.
“That bill is ready and waiting to be presented to the incoming National Assembly, the 10th Assembly.
” This proactive move alone has diffused the concerns of the larger percentage of the people of the South South in particular, and other geo political zones in the country with natural resources. The people want a leader who they can trust, who does not have integrity deficit, who understands the pains and problems facing them and who possess the wand and political will to tackle it. Atiku Abubakar has demonstrated that and more. On the basis of policies that will benefit the people, Atiku will get majority of the votes in the South South, as well as other zones in the country. As for Rivers State, he will get a resounding landslide, ” the Federal Lawmaker added.
Our Correspondent recalls that the federal lawmaker, a diehard Atiku Abubakar supporter, had spent over 43 days in detention after he was arrested on the orders of Governor Nyesom Wike for allegedly sponsoring the disruption of screening of PDP Aspirants at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt.
He was arrested on April 28, charged to court and later granted bail, May 12 but it took him time to perfect his bail conditions before he was released.
Meanwhile, Governor Wike had vowed that he will not support the presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, until Senator Iyorchia Ayu the National Chairman of PDP resigns to pave way for what calls, fight for fairness, equity and justice in the party.
Some notable politicians from the State have openly disagreed with Wike and have vowed to key behind Atiku/Okowa mandate and ensure the victory of the joint ticket