King John Berebon, the traditional ruler of Bodo in Ogoni Kingdom has said that he is solidly behind Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC in Rivers State. The monarch made the statement when the Greater Together Campaign Organisation led by Peterside paid him a courtesy call in his palace in Bodo City.
King Berebon also declared his support for APC and its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.
“I am very happy to welcome you, Your Excellency. All of us in Bodo are confident that God will see you through because you are a peaceful man and we believe in you, so we will continue to pray for you. You have honoured our palace, God will honour you. You have also honoured our people, God will honour you.
“I wish to state that I am solidly behind you and the APC. I was a school boy when Buhari came here to commission the Niger Basin project many years ago. I believe you are a blessing to this community. I know that APC federal government led by Buhari will be beneficial to our towns and region. So we are voting APC all the way”.
In the same vein, Chief Livinus Kiebel, spokesperson for the palace said Bodo people are traditionally APC and would remain so because the party serves their interest.
In his welcome address, Sir Clement Menegbo, spokesman for the community said it will be disastrous for Rivers State to entrust the leadership of the state into the hands of questionable characters who cannot seriously say why they want power, men without integrity.
“Money was not shared in bags, which is why we have crisis in Rivers State. Rather than open the state’s treasury to a few, Amaechi chose to build infrastructure and improve the living conditions of his people, that is why they are persecuting him. This election is about our future and our life. We must support Peterside and the APC so that our dreams will come true”, he said.
Responding, Peterside called on the people to be peaceful and law-abiding.
“The people of Bodo must be concerned about peace. Tell our children that this election will come and go, political parties will come and go, but Bodo will remain. I am concerned about peace and security because without peace, there will not be progress. Nobody should deceive Bodo people. If you place everybody who wants to be governor on a pedestal, I am the only one who has a stake here.
“My brother attended St. Pius Bodo and my childhood friends are from here. I cannot be governor and look the other way. I know the challenges of Bodo and I will pay attention to this place because I belong here. So vote for me so that we can build together we can build a greater Bodo”.
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He said he would always defend their interest like he did when he staged a walk-out over the non budgetary allocation for Bodo—Bonny Road during Federal Ministry of Works budget presentation. But they should vote and leave the rest to him, adding that political interest must be reciprocal.