The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State on Sunday dedicated its campaigns for the general election to God.

This came as some traditional rulers in Ikwerre Kingdom endorsed the candidacy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Dakuku Peterside.

The dedication of the PDP campaign for the general election which took place at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Port Harcourt, attracted the PDP governorship candidate, Chief Nyesom Wike; his running mate, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo; former Rivers State Governors, Dr Peter Odili and Sir Celestine Omehia; and Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo.

Others are: PDP National Deputy Chairman, Uche Secondus; Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea, Desmond Akawor; Rivers PDP chairman, Felix Obuah; and all PDP candidates for the general election.

Addressing the church, Wike said the PDP campaign council resolved to dedicate the campaign to God because it is the only sure way to victory.

He said the quest to reclaim Rivers State from the forces of under-development has been presented before God and no amount of falsehood can derail the movement to rebuild Rivers State.

In his word: “We have dedicated this campaign to God and this is the first step towards forming the next government by PDP to rebuild Rivers State.

“No amount of blackmail, insults and false propaganda will change the forthcoming victory of the PDP in the state. This movement belongs to the people and God has ordained PDP to reclaim Rivers State.”

Wike stated that PDP nominated a woman, Banigo, as deputy governorship candidate because of the conviction that women need to contribute to the planned revival of the state.

He called on the people of the state to work for the victory of all PDP candidates, beginning with President Goodluck Jonathan to actualise development for the state.

In his sermon, Ven. John Adubasim urged the PDP campaign council to carry out peaceful campaigns across the state.

He prayed God to grant the PDP success in their endeavor and urged all politicians to focus on the development of state in their campaigns.

Meanwhile, some traditional rulers in Ikwerre ethnic nationality have endorsed the candidacy of the APC governorship candidate, Peterside for the February election in the state.

The traditional rulers, under the aegis of Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers (SCITR), made the endorsement when Peterside paid them a visit at Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area to seek their blessing.
The traditional ruler of Isiokpo ancient Kingdom, Eze Blessing Wagor, received Peterside and his entourage at his palace.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Vice-Chairman of SCITR and traditional ruler of Akpor Kingdom, Eze Orlu Oriebe, said the Ikwerres were not greedy people and were in support of power rotation to the riverine part of the state.

Earlier in his speech, Peterside appealed to the traditional rulers to be in the forefront of ensuring that justice prevailed in the state by allowing power shift to the riverine area.

He said there was the need for the Ikwerre ethnic nationality to maintain their dignity in the face of politicians ready to buy their conscience.

He said: “Now we are about to make another decision as to who will be the governor of Rivers State. Ikwerre as an ethnic nationality has a very critical role to play at this point in time.

“As custodians of Ikwerre culture, and Ikwerre values, at a time of national moral crisis, we expect the custodians of our culture and value system, the traditional rulers and fathers to lend their voice of critique, so that the people can take the right path.”