In the spirit of justice, fairness and equity, Senate Hopeful, Allen Ezekiel-Hart has called on delegates, the Senator David Mark led Screening Committee and stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to give him the opportunity to fly the party’s flag in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

He said the PDP should consider that since the creation of the Rivers West Senatorial District in 1999, the Kalabari group comprising Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru and Degema LGAs have taken one slot; while the Orashi group comprising Abua/Odual, Ahoada-East, Ahoada-West and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs have taken three consecutive slots, asserting that it was now the turn of Bonny LGA to take the slot.

In an online video message, the Senate hopeful listed former occupants of the seat as Senator Soala Ibiapuye Martins-Yellowe (1999-2007), Senator Wilson Ake (2007-2015, Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu (2015-2019), and Senator Betty Apiafi (2019-Date), pointing out that Bonny LGA was yet to produce a Senator for the district, lamenting that this negates the principles of fairness, justice and equity for which the PDP was an exemplar.

Beyond the equity consideration, Ezekiel-Hart advanced his credentials as a capable hand and strong voice to amplify the unique offerings of the resource rich region of the State, which economic potentials, he said have made Rivers State what it is today.

Advancing the fact that the Rivers West Senatorial District was blessed with a rich resource base, natural, human and others, Ezekiel-Hart, who is also a pastor in the Redeemed Christina Church of God (RCCG), noted that what the region needs now is a vociferous voice to amplify its unique offerings to attract investment opportunities, infrastructural development and economic growth.

He appealed to the PDP Delegates, the David Mark-led Screening Committee and all other stakeholders to prioritize the enthronement of justice, fairness and equity, astute competence, personal integrity, and political sagacity in order to overrun the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls.  

“Give me the ticket, just give me the ticket and see what I will do with the mandate, the trust that is bestowed on me. Please my delegates, I know that you have consciences that are true. I know you have consciences that are right, that wants the region to develop.”

“Give me this ticket and see what we as a team will do with it. We will not let you down. We will not disappoint you.”

“Rivers West Senatorial District is a zone that thrives in a lot of potentials; in Education, the zone has produced notable sons and daughters like the late Prof G.U. Ake and his likes. In Law, the region has produced notable personalities like the late Justice Nabo Graham Douglas. In Sports, the region has produced stars like Finidi George and Taribo West; the list is endless.

“It is a zone that has rich mineral deposits from ONELGA to Bonny you have both carbon and gas. In ONELGA you have excess of crude, in Abua, you have, in Degema, you have, in Bonny, you have it. It is a region that is so rich in mineral deposits but yet they don’t have somebody that can speak truth to power to attract attention.”

“This is what I represent. In the hallowed chambers, in the right chambers I will be able to stand and speak truth to power. The region has been neglected. There needs to be a revival, there needs to be a comeback. Most industries in the 70s, 80s that made Rivers State what it is today.”  

Screening of aspirants for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate positions is billed for Wednesday, April 26, 2022 at the National Headquarters of PDP, Wadata House in FCT Abuja.