By Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
Although he has not officially declared his intention to run for the 2023 governorship race, former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Bro. Felix Amaechi Obuah, is already enjoying wide support in the state.
Obuah’s name is the mouth of many people interviewed on Saturday in Port Harcourt on who they think has the capacity to succeed the current governor of the state.
On why they think he has the capacity to succeed Governor Nyesom Wike, the people, who cut across various ethnic groups, gave a wide range of reasons.
Monday Saro, who said he hailed from Eleme, described Bro. Felix Obuah as courageous.
He said: “Obuah has already shown his capacity to be governor. We all saw what happened from 2014; how he and Governor Wike who was then minister of education, took over the PDP structure and fought like tigers to defeat an incumbent governor and his candidate, Amaechi and Dakuku.
“All of us were here when it happened. So, it’s not that somebody told me; I saw it with my own very eyes. I was even thinking that it will not be possible for Obuah to take over PDP chairmanship that time because of the calibre of Chief G.U. Ake who was the chairman then but we saw it happen. That is capacity.
“And under his reign, PDP won two consecutive governorship elections because he and the governor worked like brothers. For me that kind of man has capacity.”
Ikechi Wodu, an estate agent, said despite agitations by the riverine people to produce the next governor of Rivers State, the only governorship material that will not struggle to win the support of Rivers people should he decide to contest, is Bro. Felix Obuah.
Asked why he thought so, Wodu, an Emohua indigene, told TPCN: “Because the people of this state love him (Obuah) so much. And no be only PDP people o. Both APC and PDP members love him, because he is one man that doesn’t discriminate. I hear say even when he was PDP chairman, if APC person meet am beg am for money, him go still give am. He’s like Governor Wike. They’re good in helping people.
“I know that some people in the riverine area also have money, people like Dumo Lulu-Briggs. He also gives help to people but he’s not like Obuah and his party is not popular. Obuah is in PDP and PDP is the major in this state.
“Rivers people have tried and tested Obuah and he stood his ground. APC tried him, he stood his ground, ready to die with Governor Wike. Uptill now he still dey loyal to Governor Wike even though him no be PDP chairman again. My, brother, Rivers people will support that man if he comes out for governor.”
In her own comment, a minister who said her mother hails from Kalabari Land, said it would be a blessing to Rivers State if Bro Felix Obuah emerges as governor in 2023.
She said she would not mind going into prayers to beg God to make it a reality.
The female minister added: “If Bro. Obuah becomes governor of this state, things will change for the better. He is a man that has a very good heart. He loves giving. If he becomes governor, I bet you he will wipe out poverty in this state.
“That Go Round they call him is not a mere nick name; it’s his nature. Giving is in his blood and when he’s giving, he ensures that it goes round to those around him at that time. That’s why they call him Go Round.”
When reminded that her riverine kinsmen believe it should be their turn to produce the next president of Rivers State in 2023, the minister said: “Yes I know my people are agitating to produce the next governor. I also agree with them that they deserve to produce governor. That is sentiment. But there’s something higher than sentiment. That thing was is: reality.
“When I say that Obuah becoming governor will be a blessing to us, am talking reality. My dear, do you know that you can have a riverine governor and yet he will not be able to develop our area? Look at what Governor Wike is doing for his people. That is political will. Despite the criticisms, he’s still doing what he’s doing.
“Today, he has turned Obio/Akpor into a modern city, like Port Harcourt. In fact, there’s no difference between the two cities. He has also cited key projects in other old cities like Bori, Ahaoda, Omoku, Buguma, Degema, Abonnema, to develop those areas That’s political will. If a Kalabari man becomes governor and he doesn’t have it, he can’t do anything for us. But Obuah has political will, and he loves us.”
