National Point was in some communities for the June 16 LocaL Government Elections in Rivers State to monitor the process. It took out time to speak to constituency members on their expectations from government and other matters of national interest
The LG election is successful in Woji, no problem. Many of the people came out to vote for the candidates of their choice. We are all expecting to hear from RSIEC who is the winner because it is an open election.
HRH Eze (Dr) Clement Eke – Call Corruption Theft
HRH (Dr.) Clement Eke
Eze Chimerum 1 of Woji
As I am, am not partisan if PDP comes I will go, cheer, pray; APC comes, same thing, all what I pray and ask, I warn that politicians should leave this politics of do or die?
Second, leave the attitude of once you enter seat of power it becomes your farmland. They enter and start looting and fail to understand who put them there because of the crooked way they get in. This is all over Nigeria.
God blessed Nigerians with enough resources, enough wealth; Rivers State with enough resources and wealth; what is happening is greed and everybody is guilty including journalists. They use journalists to climb to power and drop them after. What we need is a change of mentality. Change corruption to thief to stop corruption. How can everybody be struggling to take over position?
Within the time frame, Governor Wike has done well with what I have seen. I went through Waterline House and here in Woji, much has been done. The Elelenwo/Woji Road, Akpajo Road but when second tenure comes, he will change his mentality and think in the way of looting. Everybody should be aware that one day we are going to account for our journey here on earth. How many can eat a plate of food for N5 million? Build underground houses, etc. and what for?
They don’t care about the people. You give guns to children, how will you withdraw that from them? Look at what is happening with Senator Saraki; giving food to the monkey is easy but collecting back the plate is difficult.
Journalists are not helping matters because of brown envelopes. Journalist should help society by doing the right thing. They should remember that Dele Giwa is dead but his name remains. People should question actions of our leaders. It is time for journalists to sit, look and see that people have sacrificed for this nation. Dele Giwa died for this nation. In the Bible God wanted to remove Hezekiah and the prophet was asked to tell him to prepare but he turned to God and was given 15 more years. God knows the end and the beginning.
Journalists can’t see the truth and tell it. You need to tell the truth, have a focus and be able to defend the truth. Do not be afraid.
People enter government and play another game in the second tenure. Nobody follows the dead to grave; everybody will one day have to give account of their stewardship.
See Saraki, people are testifying about him, thugs that say they work with him, his vehicle, etc. If they are wrong he should sue them. I know how in Odili’s government they were distributing pump action guns (to youths). When did militancy start in Rivers State? They grouped and came to Port Harcourt. Odili travelled abroad all those (militants) have been given chieftaincy titles now.
Your business as journalists is to correct errors in society.
Message to the LG leaders:
Some will be preparing how to loot; democracy is no more government of the people for the people but government for the party. It is wrong. When a leader is doing wrong even if he is from your party, you in the Assembly should be able to stand against it; correct it.
Tell politicians to stop duping, stealing. Change corruption to thief. When a father is being humiliated in front of the television what are you teaching your children? One can only occupy a small space in a big mansion. So, what are you doing with many structures? Your children will grow up, vacate the building and you and your wife will remain alone in a whole mansion.
Tell politicians to spend time to go to communities, take inventory and spread development- develop roads, execute those projects that will affect peoples’ lives-roads, health, education and security.
Politicians are the major people that brought militancy and the militants are all big men being guided by Mobile Police and SSS.
All the people in the Senate/House of Representatives are criminals with no interest of the people. The National Assembly is disgracing this nation. What are they doing in their individual constituencies? Is it buying uniform for women? These things are bothering me.
To the youth
My advice is that parents should train their children in a godly way. Most of the problems are from parents. Parents should produce only children they can take care of, to avoid children going astray. From two years start grooming children into Christian life. With too many children you start jumping from church to church looking for charity and sustenance. What will children form such background be? These cultists are also somebodies’ children. When they rob the fathers will step in and bail them with mothers harassing their husbands to go and get them home.
Mothers, reduce reliance on house-helps and create spare time for your family. Fathers, be the grooms. The word ‘groom’ means to nurture but men no more have patience. You are supposed to keep correcting your wife.
Chief Christian Amadi, Eze Omenmma 1 of Umuohia Community, Igwuruta
Am so happy the exercise went on smoothly. People came out in large number and I am here to ensure there is peace.
Is your community fielding any candidate? What are you expecting from the incoming government?
We have no candidate. The state government has completed our major roads, we are calling for assistance with our internal roads. Government has completedthe Airport/IgwurutaRukpokwu Rd and Igwuruta /Elele Rd but we need roads within our communities, out two major internal roads -Umuohia/Igwuruta to Umuneke road.
Reaction to Women as LG Vice Chairpersons?
It is a welcome development. Governor Wike really planned well. Am happy about it; it makes women have a feel of what is happening.
On Not Too Young To Run
There are many intelligent youths in the country but because the leadership of the country is taking things the wrong way, buying people to place their children, brothers, people, in office, the right people have not been able to have access. The new Act is a milestone that will bring another level of development.
Message to youths
Support any government in power and desist from being used for electoral violence. Youths should always think of their potential and be vibrant not carrying guns for those whose children have made it and are outside the country.
Prince Dan Mbachi, president African Global Development for Positive Change Initiative
Prince Dan Mbachi
The set up of the LG election is fine. I commend the Rivers State government and RSIEC for free and fair election. It has shown that Rivers State is a peaceful state. I also want the governor to create Local Government Development Areas, LGDAs. This will help bring dividends of democracy to the people and fast-track development.
When Tinubu started it in Lagos State, people thought it was a joke but today Ogun State, Bayelsa, Imo and others have it. We also want this system of government to help people around the state.
The Rivers State LG election shows what 2019 will be like-no violence; people came out and voted for trusted candidates. This is the starting point.
I appreciate the Police, Civil Defense; there was nobody forcing anybody. This is democracy in action. Rivers State is not a violent state; the violence is a creation of the media. The state is fine, you can come and invest here.
Comment on the Not Too Young To Run Act
It is a welcome development. We must advise the youth, the problem is not leadership but the whole set up. All should work together to develop the country. President Donald Trump is 72 and doing well. Joseph Kabila assumed leadership of Republic of Congo at 27, Eyedema of Togo at 39. We should work as a team to develop the country.
Youths can come up with a party. We need re-orientation not age or gender. When you get there how are you going to run it?
My message to Rivers youths is, live in harmony, conduct yourselves well. I can see that ..Rivers State is accommodating everybody.
To the in-coming LG leaders
Carry everybody along. Have skills to go round all ages; empower them, not giving N2000, N5000. Empower to support the youth and impart knowledge.
On likelihood of voting for candidates against party in 2019
I foresee that in 2019 we will be voting for candidates that have done well Zero party system and restructuring, everything will fall in place.
