Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
Former Governor of Rivers State and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Celestine Omehia, has described the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State chapter, to boycott Saturday’s Local Government election as ill-motivated.
Speaking to newsmen at Ubima in Ikwerre LGA, Omehia said that every party has a right to sponsor candidates for election but regretted that rather than participate in the election, the APC went about filing over fifteen cases against the state government’s decision to hold the LG elections, describing such action as anti-democratic.
The former governor wondered why the APC leaders and their cohorts want to drag Rivers State backwards when the whole world is moving forward, adding that local government election is for young people as it prepares them for bigger political exploits.
“APC’s inability to sponsor any candidate for election is ill-motivated. People should jettison them. Some few people want to drag Rivers State back to 1970. But local government elections are for young people because it’s from there that foundations are raised.
“I encourage young Nigerians to take part in local government elections. Even if you fail, there is no problem. At least you will become popular and your people will recognize you.
” When they’re looking for somebody to represent them in something in the future they may pick you. I challenge youths to do better than what they’re doing now,” Omehia said
He commended the PDP chairman for Ikwerre LGA, Samuel Nwanosike for his hardworking nature, describing him as the best candidate the LGA could produce for the election, and called on the people of the LGA to support him.
