Douglas Blessing
Governorship aspirant in Rivers State and serving member of the House of Representatives, Doctor Farah Dagogo, has lauded the commitment of the Presidential flag bearers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, to tackle the problems of restructuring and resource control on assumption of office.
The former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at a meeting with the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), in Lagos, had assured the media and Nigerians, that he has put the nagging issues of restructuring and resource control in the front burner of his administration.
Atiku explained that a draft amendment bill for the restructuring of Nigeria, prepared by expert lawyers, he (Atiku)in collaboration with major and critical stakeholders from the different geopolitical zones, picked was ready and would be introduced to the National Assembly on the first day of sitting of the 10th Assembly, next year, as an Executive Bill.
Speaking on the sidelines of the NGE meeting, Dagogo, who is also a member of the PDP, said, the drive of the Presidential Candidate of the party has further justified the support and confidence the people of the South-South and other geopolitical zones of the country reposed in the leadership qualities of the Atiku and his running mate, Okowa.
He described Atiku ‘as reliable and a man of integrity, who over the years matched words with action, promising that “his (Atiku) restructuring and resource control drive which encapsulate five point development agenda allign with his character and deeds”.
He said Atiku is the only Presidential candidate that came prepared and his victory in the South South and other parts of Nigeria is not in doubt.
The federal lawmaker noted that the choice of Delta State Governor, Okowa as Atiku’s running mate, was genius and masterstroke as, according to him “Okowa is not only of the Igbo and Niger Delta extraction, he is also one of the best brains from the Southern Part of the country”.
Dagogo who spoke through his media aide Ibrahim Lawal, stressed “Part of the problems that had bedeviled our country in recent times is the need to address the restructuring menace and that of resource control, which is paramount to the people of the Niger Delta and other regions in the country with natural resources.
“For the first time, we have a candidate aspiring to the highest office in the country who is willing to tackle those issues heads on.
“To demonstrate his commitment and readiness, he assembled legal experts, in collaboration with major and critical stakeholders from the various geo-political zones, to draft the restructuring amendment bill.
“That bill is ready and waiting to be presented to the incoming National Assembly, the 10th Assembly.
“This proactive move alone has diffused the concerns of the larger percentage of the people of the South South in particular, and other geopolitical zones in the country with natural resources. The people want a leader who they can trust, who does not have integrity deficit, who understands the pains and problems facing them and who possess the wand and political will to tackle it. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has demonstrated that and more.
On the basis of policies that will benefit the people, Atiku will get majority of the votes in the South South, as well as other zones in the country. As for Rivers State, he will get a resounding landslide”, the federal lawmaker added.
