NEW POST: The Ateke Tom Declaration

Chief Ateke Tom

Ateke has bowed to the wishes of his people to run for the coveted office of Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria. Ateke needs no introduction. As leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, he led a campaign for the emancipation of his people by the disruption of oil installations and operations and forcing the Federal Government of Nigeria to pay attention to the pain of his people. Ateke Tom and his people have since been pardoned and granted amnesty for all the crimes they committed against the state and the innocent blood they shed on many rivers and forests of Niger Delta. They have all also been paid billions of Naira in ongoing resettlement and compensation programmes by the FGN. Leaders like him have been awarded highly lucrative contracts to secure oil installations which they previously held hostage and sabotaged. Read full post after Cut.

Ok, let talk about Gov. Amaechi whose tenure is fast drawing to a close and thus not critical to the political rhetoric of the 2015 Rivers Gubernatorial Election or campaign.  Amaechi is a man, he came, he saw and delivered. He fought a hard war, he won many victories as he lost some. But at the end of his time as governor, he will return a hero well decorated.

He who desires the office of Governor, desires a good thing and I personally congratulate Ateke for throwing in his hat. It is a good time for aspirants to come out and let Rivers people know about their ambitions so that we can begin early to hear what you have to say, judge your mind and gauge your intellect. Our people are wise and know who or what kind of leaders they want. We know our people, we know each aspirant and their actions speak for them.

In 2015 we are looking for men and women with the ability to see the future and fashion a strategy for accelerated poverty eradication and human capacity development, to create a state that becomes a mecca for investors who not only bring in their capital but come in to build and also live. So I'm thinking, who will the cap fit?

One thing of which I'm certain is that the past is on its way out! No, do not wonder, the past is past and gone, but people still live in the past by way of their thinking. This way of thinking is on its way out.

So, arguments about roads, hospitals, and schools against Amaechi are dead on arrival! Ateke Tom is welcome to run, let all others who so desire run too. My only advice: look for stronger arguments because in 2015 Rivers people will be on the look out for new ideas and will not settle for less.

By: H.M.G Pepple follow him now @hmgpepple