By Okhumeode Mikairu
The President General of Our Will, the OK Chinda’s support group, which spread across various LGA’S of Rivers state, Barrister Glory Wobo , in this interview with the media, harps on the need for Rivers State people to allow the best candidate in the coming governorship election to lead Rivers State.
Excepts:
There is a general feeling in the country that Rivers State deserves to have the next governor who will bring leadership stability to the state. What is your view about that ?
Rivers State was the envy of other states when Barrister Nysom Wike was the governor for eight years. He brought rapid infrastructural development to the state.
The state under him was a reference point. Visible developmental achievements were showcased every month by him. Other governors were coming to the state to copy his blueprint.
Since the former Governor Wike left office, the state has witnessed leadership turbulence.
The state in the last three years has seen an endless battle between the executive and legislative arms of government.
This prompted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare six months state of emergence in the state.
Even after the state of emergency was lifted at the expiration of the six months, nothing changed. The battle line was still drawn between the governor and the state legislators.
Coming back to your question, to say Rivers State needs leadership stability now is an understatement. The state needs it urgently.
That the state did not collapse administratively and thrown into anachy, is still a miracle to many onlookers.
This is why this coming governorship election is very critical, and every care must be taken to elect someone who can work harmoniously with all the political stakeholders, elders of the state, and most importantly, the state legislators.
I believe a candidate like Hon Kingsley Ogundu Chinda can do that.
Why Kingsley Chinda, taking into cognisance the fact that he is from the same ethnic Ikwere area of the state like former governor Wike?
This is not the time for ethnic sentiments. Rivers State badly needs now a governor who has both executive and Legislative experience.
A person who has the experience to build bridges among the different ethnic nationalities in the state .
A sensitive and flexible leader who is ready to understand the feelings of those he is leading and working with, especially the legislators, who are very crucial in the smooth running of the state.
Kingsley Chinda, having been a Commissioner in the state, and a seasoned legislator who has been in the House of Representatives for years now, he understands the importance of leadership harmony in the state.
A law maker and an administrator is what the state needs now.
What about those calling for power rotation in the state ?
In a period of emergency, figuratively speaking, we choose the person who can weather the storm. A person who can reconcile the different interests in the state.
What the state needs now is a governor who can bring stability, bring rapid development and social harmony. A governor who understands the dynamics of the state . Kingsley Chinda can achieve all these within the first three years of his tenure.
How can we achieve political inclusiveness, especially affirmative action for women in the state?
Getting everyone involved in the running of Rivers State and getting all stakeholders to have representation and a say in the governance and decision making process after due consultation and deliberation will lead to rapid economic and political development of the state.
Once there is that sense of belonging, all stakeholders will make their contributions.
Hon Kingsley Chinda has demonstrated his commitment to inclusive governance and equal representation. He has consistently advocated for increased representation for women in parliament.
What effect do you think former governor Wike’s Rainbow Coalition will have on the outcome of all the elections that will be held in Rivers State next year, 2027 ?
Very good question. We all just saw what happened in the bye-election held last Saturday in the state.
An ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike and member of the Rainbow Coalition, Senator Olaka Nwogu, of the PDP was declared winner of the Rivers South-East senatorial bye-election.
Only four political parties, including APC, PDP, Action Alliance and Labour Party, took part in the poll conducted to fill the vacancy created by the sudden death of the former representative of the senatorial district, Senator Barry Mpigi, in February this year.
The election covered seven local government areas that make up the Rivers South-East senatorial district, which includes Khana, Gokana, Tai. Eleme, Andoni, Oyigbo, and Opobo.
The outcome of that election shows that there is what I can call ” tactical zoning ” of political offices among the parties that form the grand Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State.
This further emphasizes what I was saying earlier that the current politics in the state is very intricate, and only an experienced candidate will be able to understand this intricacy and explain it to the electorates in the state.
Who else can better do this than Hon Kingsley Ogundu Chinda?
That other contestants willingly stepped down for him during the APC party primaries is a testament of his acceptance and capability. His qualities are known by all the major parties in the state. He is not a political stranger to members of these parties.
