Sequel to the decision of the Minister of Transport, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi yesterday to field business mogul, Tonye Dele Cole as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2019 gubernatorial election, Dakuku Peterside has announced his decision to support Cole. 

Peterside, who is the current Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), announced his decision to step down his ambition and queue behind Amaechi’s choice via a statement last night. 

The NIMASA DG was the party’s candidate in the 2015 guber polls but lost to the incumbent Governor, Nyesom Wike via a ruling of the Supreme Court which overturned the initial verdicts of the election tribunal and Appeal Court which annulled the election due to widespread violence and electoral malpractices.  

Below is his statement:

UNITY TO TRIUMPH – DAP

Dear Compatriots, 

Yesterday our leader , Rt. Hon. C. R. Amaechi, whom we all subscribe to his leadership made a decision of whom we should back for the office of the Governor of Rivers State in 2019. 

The lot fell on my friend and brother in Christ, Tonye Dele Cole . 

2.  I made a commitment to the group earlier to stand by whatever decision the leader makes in the overall interest of the party and Rivers State. I reiterated my position yesterday in the leadership meeting. I thus stand by the decision on TDC. 

3. We have toiled from 2013 to date (a period of five years) and have made sacrifices and lost lives in the course of enthroning the kind of government we want in Rivers State; a government that will guarantee peace, unity and prosperity. In course of the struggle we bonded as one indivisible family under God. 

4. The decision by the Leader has been met with mixed reactions, which is expected. My appeal is that we allow the greater interest of APC and Rivers State  to prevail. 

5. To those who believe in the vision I shared in the past 5 years, the leadership I gave at various times and the path of loyalty to the cause I have chosen over time, I urge you all to stand by the Leader, the party and the ordinary people of Rivers State in support of TDC. I personally pledge my loyalty to the Leader (who is to me, family) and the decision he has made. I enjoin all my supporters to queue behind our leader CRA and ensure total victory for our party. 

6.  I pray for unity among the members of APC and VICTORY in the 2019 election.

Dakuku Peterside, PhD