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National president,South-South Youths Initiative, Imeabe Oscar
Niger Delta youths, under the aegis of the South-South Youths Initiative, have called for the peaceful conduct of the local government council poll in Rivers State, scheduled for 5 October 2024.
The youths also urged the Governor of the state, Siminialayi Fubara, to consider providing operational vehicles for the State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to enable them to effectively carry out their mandate of securing lives and property in the state.
In a statement on Friday, the SSYI National President, Imeabe Oscar, said that providing operational vehicles to the NSCDC would help them perform optimally in the forthcoming election.
He also took the opportunity to call on all parties to conduct themselves peacefully during this electioneering period.
The statement read, “We are calling on all parties to be peaceful and allow the forthcoming elections to be held without incident. They should also be reminded that the presence of governance can only be felt at the grassroots when there are elected officers in charge.
“We urge all those planning to disrupt the elections to sheath their swords and allow peace to prevail in the state.”
Oscar lamented the nature of politics practised in the state, expressing concern that the system has made it impossible for Rivers State to compete economically with others.
He urged the governor to focus more on governance than politics.
“The nature of the political situation here has set Rivers State back. The state cannot keep pace with others. Lagos State is far ahead in terms of economic activity, and considering the hardship we are facing, we expect Rivers State to perform better than those states.
“Rivers’ resources should be used to develop the state and not wasted on political struggles that add no value.
“We call on His Excellency to concentrate more on governance and less on politics. We urge him to pay attention to those genuinely concerned about the success of the state, rather than political opportunists around him,” he stated.
Oscar observed that most of the outgoing Caretaker Committee Chairmen in the state did nothing to improve the lives of the grassroots but were only interested in amassing wealth for themselves.
“The outgoing Caretaker Committee Chairmen never meant well, and most of them did nothing to make government presence felt in their councils. They were merely grasping for power.
“We advise that those given tickets to contest as chairmen should not be merely interested in seizing council resources.
“His Excellency should do more to earn the support of those at the grassroots because the people of Rivers will always resist any government that does not mean well for them,” he added.
Oscar also called on all stakeholders to unite for the overall interest of Rivers State.
“I call on all stakeholders to work together and support the governor for the peace and development of Rivers State.
“All stakeholders should collaborate to ensure that our state outperforms Lagos and other states economically, and to see that our seaport and airport operate optimally, allowing the state to flourish.
“We should not always be known for violence and poor politics. This is the time to work for the peace and progress of our dear state,” he concluded.
