As the race for the coveted Brick House, seat of government in Rivers State intensifies and draws closer, the electorate and variegated stakeholders, were given a golden opportunity to have a firsthand assessment of what the major contenders for the number one job in Rivers State would do for the people, if elected.
The Rivers Entrepreneurs and Investors Forum, REIF in tandem with Stakeholders Democracy Network, SDN, PIND and other development partners had aggregated their energies to organize the Rivers Debate 2023 with intent to give the people of Rivers State an opportunity to appraise the potential of the major gubernatorial candidates in the state.
Rivers Governorship candidate, APC
In a painstaking process of selecting in Rivers State, the organizers of the Rivers Debate 2023 narrowed the race to what they perceived to be the five major contenders for the state gubernatorial elections billed for March 2023. The five candidates were chosen following a poll that was broadcast on Nigeria Info one of the debate partners.
The five candidates that would likely emerge as the governor of Rivers State were Architect Tonye Cole of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs of the Accord, Comrade Beatrice Itubo of Labour Party, LP, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe of the Social Democratic Party, SDP and Mr. Siminalayi Joseph Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Out of these promising candidates, only Architect Tonye Cole, Comrade Beatrice Itubo and Senator Magnus Ngei Abe turned up for the well-organized event.
In his opening remarks, Ibifiri A.C. Bob-Manuel REIF, President and Chairman Rivers Debate Group, stressed that the debate intends to provide a fair opportunity for all gubernatorial candidates to come clean with their policies and programmes such that the people of the state can X-ray them. In his words, “If we get the recruitment process right, we will all reap the benefits of this debate.”
Speaking passionately, Bob-Manuel said he had issues with the internally generated revenue in Rivers State, “How do we galvanise our vast resources? The seaport of Rivers State is a major issue. It is common knowledge that Lagos is the highest in terms of internally generated revenue. It might interest you to note that the Lagos seaport generates 70% of Lagos State internally generated revenue. Rivers State cannot have vast resources like our seaports and be lagging behind other states in terms of internally generated revenue.’
Rivers Governorship candidate, SDP
The Debate:
The three gubernatorial candidates that turned up for the debate were Architect Tonye Cole, Comrade Beatrice Itubo, and Senator Magnus Ngei Abe. These candidates were grilled in the areas of the Economy, Security, Education and Open Governance.
Architect Tonye Cole in his opening remarks, emphasized that individuals matter, just as nations matter. He said leaders must care for the people. “No more snatching of ballot boxes.” Cole spoke convincingly saying, “I see, I feel and care for the people of Rivers State.”
Economy: It was highlighted by the organizers of the debate that Rivers State comes second in terms of unemployment with a figure of 1.64 million people who are multi-dimensionally poor. In terms of addressing poverty in the state, Cole itemized the following problem areas: Lack of cash, lack of business support and over-taxation. Arch. Cole emphasized on the compelling need to create an enabling environment that would bring businesses, which had hitherto relocated, back to Rivers State.
Security: Cole asked a rhetorical question, ‘how do you create a secure environment?’ He posited that, It is a sine qua non to keep our streets and locations well-lit. He also spoke on the need to use kinetic and non-kinetic forms of security. The APC guber candidate also spoke glowingly of the necessity of integrating communal policing into the society.
Education/Open Governance: The APC guber hopeful emphasized the need to bring technological advances into our classrooms in Rivers State. According to Cole, ‘Access to quality education is mandatory for students of Rivers State origin, so that we can close the gap between advanced national and developing nations’.
Responding to questions on Transparency, Environmental Pollution and Local Government Autonomy, Cole opined that open budgeting and transparent procurement systems are critical towards the growth of the state. With regard to environmental pollution occasioned by illegal refining of crude, Cole said he will create an alternative economy for those involved in this illegal business using modern technology.
First 100 Days In Office: Pastor Tonye Cole assured that he would open up live conversations with the people of the state in order to connect with them. He re-emphasized, if he is elected as governor, the people of the state will be part of policy making.
Finally, he sounded it loud and clear that Rivers State money will trickle down to the ordinary people of the state.
Comrade Beatrice Itubo
Job Creation and Poverty Alleviation: Responding to questions on how she would industrialize the state, Itubo responded by saying that her projects will be people-based. She assured the people of the state that will cooperate with traditional rulers to enhance the security network. Speaking with recognizable confidence, the Labour Party Amazon enthused that her government will revitalize moribund industries such as the syringe company at Obiri Ikwerre, the Songhai Farm, Risonpalm, etc in order to reduce unemployment. In addition, manpower incubation centres, and vocational institutions will be put in place to make Rivers people employable.
Education/Open Governance: Comrade Beatrice Itubo averted that we cannot shy away from the reality of vulnerable students in the state. She reiterates the need to institutionalize conducive learning environments for our students, introduce e-learning systems and send teachers in training and retraining. She also hinted that teachers in the state will be paid more and that there is an urgent need to revamp the state Scholarship board for bright indigent students.
In terms of transparency and local government autonomy, Itubo said she would not just be transparent, but will surround herself with transparent people working with her.
In her final remarks, Comrade Beatrice Itubo Conscientised Rivers people on the need to vote people with fresh ideas. She assured Rivers people that if given the mandate, she will not disappoint the electorate.
Senator Magnus Ngei Abe on Security: Senator Abe claimed that the present anti-cultism law was counterproductive. He said clearly that he will not be rubbing the backs of cultists. If one is proven to be a cultist, that person will be dealt with squarely. “There is no excuse for failure in security. There is no room for excuses whether State Police or not.”
How do you address multiple Taxation and Internally generated Revenue?
Senator Magnus Abe said he will open up the books of the government. “In making the government transparent, there is also the need to spend Rivers money efficiently.’ There is need to spend money on things that are important to Rivers people.
On Multiple Taxation Abe said, “In my government, multiple taxation will be brought under control. We will simplify the taxation process and give the people the right infrastructure. It is my belief that the poor should not be taxed.”
How do you re-industrialize Rivers State?
There is the need to create new industrial hubs outside Port Harcourt. In the marine aspect, we need to work on our technology. We must diversify and we will work with banks to give credit to Rivers people. We will tackle the challenges of security and need to get a Civil Service that works for the people of Rivers State.
Education
We need to go back to the basics of education. There is no free education. Education must have a cost. Education being globally competitive, there is need to upgrade the quality of teachers. We need to properly invest in our teachers and upgrade the spending on children.
Are you committed to transparent Budgeting?
Abe – I am 100% committed to transparent budgeting. I will build accounting systems that our people will develop confidence in.
Local Government Autonomy?
Abe: I will allow Rivers people to choose their local government chairman. We must task the local government chairmen with what they will do with time lines. There will be no godfathers.
100 Days In Office?
Senator Abe said in his first 100 days in office, if elected governor, he will hold meetings with security agencies. As regards education, government will do a biometric registration of our children and biometrics of people living in the state. With these statistics, one can plan.
Final Remarks?
Abe; Rivers State needs someone that has the experience. I have the experience and capacity to build a better Rivers State with the knowledge of the state I have.
REIF
Fallout from the Debate:
One major feature at the debate event, was the absence of two prominent frontrunners, Amaopusenibo Siminalaiyi Fubara of the PDP and Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs of Accord.
While Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs sent public apologies for his inability to grace the debate, there were no explanations for the gaping absence of Amaopusenibo Sim Fubara of the PDP.
However, Mr. Ibifiri Bobmanuel DG, REIF informed National Point on Wednesday, that Amaopusenibo Sim Fubara of the PDP sent in apologies for his absence at the debate, quoting conflicts with another earlier scheduled programme.
