Today, the Kalabari Kingdom does not appear to have leadership to pilot the affairs of the kingdom. This is like a flock of sheep without a shepherd, and we are currently drifting rudderlessly without direction. This is unacceptable to us. We have been in the wilderness and there appears to be no end to it. Kalabari is moving into a self-destructive mode because those who claim to represent us are only motivated by selfishness and greed.
A Kalabari adage says, when there are patriotic elders in the community, elders should never allow a goat about to deliver remain tied up while delivering her kids; and so, the above-named patriotic Kalabari Elders in Diaspora have decided to step in, to do what is needed and necessary at this time. To this end, we boldly inform all of us that, having engaged and assessed all but one, of the Kalabari Rivers State Governorship candidates, we can confidently opine that:
The Kalabaris have the brightest chance of producing a Governor at this time, but this chance is about to be thrown away if we, the elders do nothing and allow the contestants to scatter the Kalabari votes by not agreeing to support the candidate with the greatest chance of being elected. Some of the candidates are being sponsored to scatter the Kalabari votes, which will translate into giving Wike’s candidate the chance to win.
We, as a state and especially the Kalabaris, should not encourage wittingly or unwittingly, an outgoing Governor to impose his candidate on the state. A candidate who has not engaged the voters in the state and who has not been interrogated by the voters is an accident waiting to happen to all of us. It will be a very dangerous precedent if it is allowed to succeed. Failure to interrogate and ascertain the capacity, vision and track record of the PDP candidate will result in more impunity and lack of accountability. It will be the third term of Governor Wike who ruled the state like a personal fiefdom or estate.
Consequent upon the above points, we have decided as a collective body to advise the Kalabari people to close their ranks and vote only one person because, a divided house is a failed house. We should give all our support to the candidate who has the greatest chance and the structure to win, and in our view, Pastor Architect Tonye Cole is the right person to succeed the outgoing Governor of Rivers State.
This is because he is the candidate with the capacity, credibility, and international connection to attract very much needed investment into the state. He has done it in the private sector and will do it for us.
Tonye is a man with great education, capacity, humility, integrity and had prepared himself for the job. He is a technocrat and has the global practical experience with extensive network of business connections, and a great employer of labour. He is known to be a serial entrepreneur whose companies have employed more than 4,000 employees spread over 48 countries worldwide, with an annual turnover of over 11 billion Dollars. He has distinguished himself in the art of management of scare resources and none of the competitors come close to his achievements to date.
It is time for a change in Rivers State. We need a new beginning, and a breath of fresh air and Tonye Cole stands out among the whole pack. We believe he is the one that can lift the state and the Riverine communities out of this quagmire and out of poverty. KALABARI people should not disown their son and remain in the wilderness forever. We must learn lessons from our past mistakes BUT if we don’t, the consequences will be unimaginable for the future generation.
We would therefore humbly recommend him to all our people and indeed all Rivers people for support to take over from the out-going Governor.
Signed:
Suku Harry
Chief Akin Oruwari
Dr. Abio Sokari
Dr. K. B. Jack
Victor Abili
Joe Johnson &
Many more
For and on behalf of the Kalabari Elders, sons, and daughters in the Diaspora.
