A former member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Bernard Mikko has declared his interest to join the Rivers State gubernatorial race under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 elections.
The ex-lawmaker, who addressed journalists after obtaining his expression of interest and nomination forms at the APC National Secretariat, Abuja on Wednesday, said his vision for Rivers State is to harness her resources for urgent and balanced development and economic growth.
According to him, “As we continue to emphasize the need for good and strong institutions of government, we often overlook the importance of the personal qualities of those who make them work. It is in this regard that I offer myself as a humble servant without blemish to fly the APC flag in Rivers State and bring our party to a resounding victory in the 2023 general election.”
He debunked having allegiance to either of the factions of the State APC, saying no consensus agreement has been reached on APC candidate for the Rivers governorship election.
The ex-lawmaker said he joined the race to unify all the factions in the party so it can win elective positions.
“Party means a group of people with different interests and ideologies. It is only small parties that don’t have divisions. In the major opposition party in the country, you can see the divisions. My own as a unifier is to bring all the parties together so that we can win this election.
“APC in Rivers state has been in the limbo for almost eight years now. No House of Representatives, no Senate, nothing not even a local councillor. And you can see the problem between some of these parties that have led to this. Why I am coming into the race is to unify all the factions in the state and make things work for our APC to win the election,” he stated.
He maintained that it was the turn of the Ogoni people to produce the next governor of the state, noting that only the Ikwerrres of the east and western zones have enjoyed the slot.
“You know that after Odilli in 1999-2007; you have Celestine Omehia, who was Ikwerre man and governed the state for six months; you have another Ikwerre man, Rotimi Amaechi, then after him you have Nyesom Wike who is also from Ikwerre.
“All these people are from the East senatorial district, Odilli was from the west senatorial district. So, this time it is ideal for somebody from the south-east senatorial district which I come from which is the Ogoni axis,” Mikko said.
Mikko added that he joined the race to transform the educational system to produce graduates with relevant technical and entrepreneurial skills that would create jobs and address the social problems in the society, adding that, “judicial reform will be inclined to social justice with the consideration of non-custodian sentences to decongest and improve prison conditions and reduce costs.”
