Admin l Friday, April 13, 2018
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – The organisers of the one million youths to match for Governor Nyesom Wike to galvanise support for his second term bid said they have so far enlisted the active participation of of 600, 000 you g men and women. Chairman of the movement, Hon.Edison Ehie, representing Ahoada-East state constituency 2, Secretary, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akuku-Toru state constituency, 1, insisted in an interview that all Youths who have volunteered to join the movement have their Permanent Voters Card, PVC’s.
Ehie stated: “Rivers youth are showing solidarity for the Governor Wike because of his unpatrolled support for youths. For the first time, youths are a force to reckon with in all strate of government in Rivers State.”
“The governor has elevated youths in the executive council; in the legislature; in the academic sector; in the education sector; in the health sector; and virtually all strata of the state. He has given N500 million to all the tertiary institutions in the state to upgrade academic facilities to enhance education.”
Jack stressed that the one million youths to match for a new Rivers State is to show appreciation for what Governor Wike is doing for youths in the state. He budgeted N2 billion for youth empowerment; N1 billion for women empowerment; and N6 billion for employment generation, including interest-free loans.”
Both Ehie and Jack maintained: “Today, Rivers youths are in the mainstream of Rivers politics. The governor has directed that youths should be speed to play active part in politics at the local government level. His record in the area of youth empowerment is unbeatable.” According to Ehie, Governor Wike has given approval for the sponsorship of 100 Rivers indigenes into the PAMOL University of Medical Sciences ever year to further empower Rivers youths.
“It is unprecedented. So, as a people, we are showing appreciation to a governor that has given the youths of Rivers State a formidable platform from which to embrace the future.” The lawmaker representing Ahoada-East state constituency reasoned: “We know that youths in Rivers State are more than one million. So, with one million votes from the youths, Wike’s second term bid is safe and dry.”
If the governor has truly performed, why then, is the group talking one million youths to support his second term bid? Jack. the lawmaker representing Akuku-Toru state constituency, explained that the movement is not aimed at rallying the youths, but rather, to galvanise the youths to show appreciation for Wike has done for their constituency and have a foothold in Rivers politics.
“If politicians in Rivers State know that there are one million youths with their PVC’s who are active politically and are prepared to vote at any given election, then, our leaders after Governor Wike would have completed his second term will continue to follow the part laid by Wike.”
Ehie and Jack emphasised that the movement is currently engaging youths who are 18 years and above in the 23 local government areas in the state. “One million youths with PVC’s will be more interested in voting for a candidate that have transformed youth participation in politics and government, rather than be involved in electoral malpractices.
