Douglas Blessing
The National Public Relations Officer, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Ukadike Chinedu, has declared that his members and Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria have resolved to adopt Fubara as their preferred candidate in Saturday’s governorship election in Rivers State.
Just as 48 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to the President elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu have declared their support for the victory of Fubara at the poll.
The National PRO of IPMAN made the declaration yesterday, during a townhall meeting and interactive session organised by the in the State.
Chinedu told Governor Wike who was present at the meeting, he has become a household name in Nigeria because of his giant developmental strides.
He stated that under the governor’s watch, their business as marketers of petroleum products has enjoyed prosperity courtesy of the peaceful atmosphere in the state necessary for their businesses to thrive.
“The saying often goes, that you cannot change a winning team! In your avowed quest to ensure good governance of our dear Rivers State, the PDP has chosen our dear brother and friend, Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara, as our incoming Governor. We, members of IPMAN in Rivers spread out our hands to welcome and adopt Senibo Fubara as our candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Rivers State.
“We hereby pledge to support him and do all we can to ensure that Sim emerges as the incoming Executive Governor of Rivers State come March 18, 2023, when the Governorship election takes place, so that he can continue with the good works of his mentor, our amiable Governor, Chief Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
“We believe firmly that when you are sworn-in as the next Executive Governor of Rivers State come May 29, 2023, you will also stamp your presence in the firmament of Rivers State just like your mentor both in words and in deed. Rivers State expects so much from you; the shoes you are about to step into are very huge. You have been well-groomed; you have closely followed our brother and mentor, Governor Nyesom Wike.”
Chinedu said it is their belief that Fubara will continue to work closely with IPMAN and other Stakeholders in Rivers State in order for them to continue to contribute their quota to the growth and development of the State.
Similarly, 48 APC members loyal to President elect, Alhaji Tinubu have pledged their support for Fubara for Saturday election.
Coordinator of the Tinubu Support Groups in Rivers, Mr Tony Okocha, said the groups will be voting PDP candidate, Fubara as governor of Rivers State, in order to reciprocate Wike’s support for the president elect.
Okocha stated this yesterday evening, at a stakeholders meeting held in Port Harcourt.
“On February 25 while some APC members were working against our presidential candidate, the PDP in Rivers State supported Asiwaju. So we have come to pay back because one good turn deserve another. So on March 18, we will be coming out in our numbers to reciprocate his kind gesture by voting PDP candidate, as governor of Rivers State.
“In Rivers State we want to chart a new course as a vanguard, and that new course is that we will be voting PDP candidate Sim Fubara as governor of Rivers State.”
Responding, the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, said the state needs a better succession plan just like Lagos State for progress and continuity.
Wike represented by the PDP Chairman in Rivers State, Desmond Akawo, said the party wanted power to return to southern Nigeria in the spirit of equity and fairness, that was why they supported the APC at the presidential election.
