Respect Decision By Abe, Others To Defect – Rivers APC Chief, Peterside

A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside has urged remaining party members in the state to respect the decision of some of their erstwhile members to defect from the party urging those remaining to rally round the party leader, Rotimi Amaechi in the tasking effort of rebuilding the party.

He spoke at the Rivers State APC Stakeholders meeting.

According to Dr. Peterside, who was a former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the 2015 governorship candidate of the Party in Rivers State.

He spoke against the background of the exit from the party by a number of party chiefs. Besides Senator Magnus Abe who had been opposed to the leadership of Rotimi Amaechi, a number of others who had been fanatical to Amaechi the latest of whom was 2023 governorship hopeful, George Tolotari.

Reacting to the decision of some former loyalists in the Rivers State chapter of the APC to defect, Peterside said:

“I want to thank the people who have left the party for the services rendered to the Party in the past and friendship shared. I regret the fact that we shall all miss them and the comradeship we all enjoyed. This is not unusual at the end of any political transition as people are free to exercise their democratic right in a multiparty democracy. Change is the only permanent feature in life.  Our doors remain open to them should they decide to return.”

“Let me advise my party members to respect the choices people make for therein lies our humanity.  Lack of respect for individual choices has, in the recent past, contributed to the tension we face as a people from time to time. 

“People resign or defect for different reasons. I personally respect their choices, same way I expect them to respect our own choice to remain.  Remaining or leaving the party does not in any way confer moral superiority on any of us, nor does it make us more or less patriotic. Our State needs all men of goodwill who are builders and not destroyers, irrespective of party differences,” Peterside admonished.

Those Who Didn’t Defect Should Build Up Rivers APC – Peteside

Continuing, he appealed to members to rally together to rebuild the Party in Rivers State.

“Now that it is evidently inevitable that we have lost some of our comrades to other endevours, it is time we pull together to rebuild the party, draw new strength and march towards our desired destination.  That way, some of our party members who left will see reasons to come back and be part of the redemption mission in the State.

“It is a fact that the strength and acceptability of our party cannot be measured by temporary setbacks. Our grassroots support is massive and remains unshaken. Majority of party members have confidence in the leadership and have remained steadfast knowing that the future is bright.  

“Our leader, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has taken a number of steps to steer the party in a more proactive direction. My least expectation is that other leaders rally round him. I am personally committed to this rebuilding process. I acknowledge the fact that it will entail some sacrifice and inconvenience but surgery for your own good comes with certain degree of pains.

“Rebuilding the party and putting her back on winning ways means we must do some things differently and in a more definite manner. It will require humility to listen to each other and understand the perspective of others. However, we can never remove our eyes from the ball. It will mean adopting new systems, and in some cases, a different approach in the party such that they can withstand storms and hiccups,” Peterside declared.

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