– Why Kalabari Chiefs endorse Tinubu
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Niger Delta freedom fighter, Alhaji Mujadid Asari- Dokubo has doubled-up on his mobilization towards the victory of the All Progressive Congress (APC), presidential standard-bearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Asari- Dokubo who has been vigorous in his support for Tinubu has secured the buy-in of Kalabari Chiefs who have also endorsed the candidature of Tinubu.
According to him his support for the emergence of Tinubu as the next president of Nigeria is anchored on the fact his pedigree as a performer outstrips those of his opponents in the presidential race.
Speaking after organising a 48th birthday bash for oil mogul, Tein Jack- Rich and deputy- Chairman, Funding Raising Committee of the Tinubu/ Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, at Harry’s Town, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, he insisted that the Kalabiris have been unfairly treated and neglected, adding that they have decided to take their destinies in their own hands to be deliberate and strategic in their political choice with the endorsement of Tinubu by Kalabari chiefs.
He said, “Jack- Rich is one of the engine rooms of the Tinubi campaign. Kalabari we are falling every day, nobody is making us fall, and we are falling because we want to fall. After the Civil war do you the position we held, the attorney-general of the federation was a Kalabari man, Nabo Graham Douglas, The Minister for Reconstruction and Land Rehabilitation was a Kalabari man, Wenike Briggs, the first Minister for Petroleum was from Kalabari, Mofia Tonjo Akobo. Where are we and where are we going to.Do you know what we have suffered in the hands of people because they are governors? What they did to us, our roads that they did not construct? Our communities that they left in deprivation and squalor; our hospitals that were closed down in Degema , Buguma and Abonnema; our waterways that were not safe; our roads that are dead and left us to the mercy of kidnappers and armed robbers. Even when we volunteered to protect ourselves, they came after us with guns, threatening us. This is our son, he needs us, he needs our support and prayers. The direction he points to us politically, we should follow, because if we don’t follow, we shall cry and cry again. Kalabari, this is the time, we are politically. The Kalabari people will vote for Tinubu.
Asari- Dokubo while stating that Tinubu would win convincingly said the Kalabari chiefs decided to endorse him because he is the only among the presidential candidates that can secure Kalabari land, develop it and the people.