Ex Freedom Fighter To Boost Jonathan/wike Campaign With Massive Rally In Ph Jan 17th

…as Wike Visits Egberipapa

By Idaimi Peace

Port Harcourt is set to be agog with one of the biggest political support/campaign rallies in the city as Kengema Unity Forum, (KUF) a Kalabari socio-cultural group and its socio-political sister group, Network for the Defense of Democracy and Good Governance, (NDDGG) both founded by ex freedom fighter, General Sobomabo Jackrich (a.k.a Egberipapa) gears up to organize a massive campaign rally in demonstration of support, solidarity and to canvass for votes for Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, the Guberntorial candidate of the Peoples' Democratic Party in the forthcoming Governorship election in River state and President Goodluck Jonathan.

Founder of KUF and NDDGG, General Sobomabo Jackrich made this known while speaking to newsmen in Lagos. The groups whose membership cut across the 23 LGA's of the state and beyond according to him will engage in sensitization and mobilization of the people while canvassing for votes for the Peoples' Democratic Party candidates, Chief Nyesome Wike and President Goodluck Jonathan among others in the forthcoming election.

Jackrich had said both group in the early days had canvassed for a Kalabari Governor under PDP, but had now decided to support the winner of the PDP Guber primary in the state, Chief nyesom Wike. The decision according to him was premised on the fact that party interest supersedes that of any individual or group. He also explained that the emergence of Chief Nyesom Wike as the PDP candidate in the primaries was done through an open, credible and transparent primary conducted by the party hierarchy hence the need to drop whatever grievances and work towards the victory of the party in the state.

“As a group we cannot go against the interest of the party because our paramount interest is to ensure that PDP not only wins the state, but do that with a resounding landslide” he opined adding that the groups will carry out an intensive house to house campaign to mop up votes for the PDP Guber candidate, the President and other PDP aspirants in the state.

He described Wike as a leader that is accessible at all times, saying he is a dogged, result oriented and focused individual who is well acquainted with the terrain and the expectations of the people he intend to lead. He commended him for his role in saving the party from extinction in the state.

The KUF and NDDGG founder further stressed that Wike's benevolent decision to appoint a Kalabari indigene, Dr. Mrs Ipalibo Banigo as his running mate was also instrumental to decision to throw weight behind him. The appointment of Mrs Banigo according to him shows his level of maturity and sincerity of purpose. He said Wike's understanding that the Kalabaris have been politically marginalized in the political dynamics of the state and his consequent decision to give the Kalabari people a sense of belonging with the appointment of one of their own as deputy is quite commendable;.

Elaborating on the massive support rally he said it is expected to take place on the 17th of January in Port Harcourt and it will be huge as its massive membership across the 23 LGA's of the state and beyond are expected to storm the city to sway voters to PDP.

Jackrich who is also the Director General of Network for the Defense of Democracy and Good Governance, (NDDGG) noted that the election of President Goodluck Jonathan is also a major objective and is non-negotiable. He said some significant economic achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration cannot be overtly overlooked while attention is focused only on insecurity and Boko Haram insurgency insinuating that nothing good has happened to Nigeria in recent times.

Enumerating some of the achievements of President Jonathan's transformation agenda, he said Mr. President's development strides are evident in the rehabilitation of the railway sub-sector which was abandoned over 20 years ago; the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the dredging of the Lower Niger and reviving of inland water transport; the construction and rehabilitation of road network. Similarly he said his strides can also be seen in renovation and modernization of our Airports, establishment of nine (9) federal universities in all the states of the federation, far reaching steps forward in the Agricultural sector, easy access to fertilizers for farmers, proactive support for SME's among other important milestones put in place by the President Goodluck Jonathan's administration. The best we can do for him is to vote him to consolidate on the successes he has been able to institute in past years” he was quoted as saying.

It will be recalled that the PDP guber aspirant had earlier on the 25th of December 2014 visited the palatial Usokun residence of the ex freedom fighter in Degema LGA of Rivers state to seek for his support in the coming elections, the visit among other things opened channels of understanding and commitment by both leaders to work together for the victory of PDP in the state.