One of the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Barr. Nduka Clay Ogbonna has observed that the economic hardship in the country which has woken the political consciousness of the citizenry will definitely affect the results of the forthcoming general election positively.
He stated this in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt over the weekend. He said that especially the youths are no longer passive about election processes but are in the forefront to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to determine the next leaders who would take charge of their affairs adding that for the country or economy to grow, there should be purposful leadership.
He equally observed that it was the same political consciousness that has produced two additional frontline presidential candidates to increase the normal ruling party and opposition party presidential candidates synwhich he noted, is a good omen for the nascent democracy.
On the credibility of the electoral process, Barr. Ogbonna said he believes that with the technology deployed and the steadfastness of the electoral body INEC, the fairness and credibility of the process will be improved this time accordingly, assuring that the votes must surely count and urge the electorates to obtain their PVCs and vote their conscience which he stressed must of course be credible persons who will change the situation on ground and not on band wagon basis of party line.
Barr. Ogbonna used the opportunity to commend the state governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for what he described as excellent performance in governance which he noted has made them proud.
He thanked the governor specifically for the internal roads he did for them at Eneka which he noted were supposed to have been handled though by the local government authorities if they were sufficiently funded. He passionately appealed to the governor however for the rehabilitation his the Rumuwhule – Igbo Etche Road which he said is very important to the Eneka Community, Obio/Akpor and indeed Rivers State as according to him “it will open up the development of the area”.
The PDP stakeholder equally appealed to the governor to ensure that the recently passed bill by the National Assembly which empowers the states to be involved into Independent Power Project (IPP) venture in order to generate and distribute power that will obviously encourage small scale businesses and artisans for their self-reliance; since according to him, “NEPA has failed the nation”.
Before the Wike administration winds down, Barr. Ogbonna urged the governor to please remember to concentrate effort on Human Capital Development as well as renovation of the schools and improvement of the educational sector generally.
“There should also be effort in revamping the moribund industries at Trans Amadi area of the state to engage the unemployed youths”, he pointed out.
He expressed optimism that the succeeding Fubara government will consolidate on the achievements of the Wike administration if elected into office later this year.
