One million youths for Wike have mobilized over 600,000 youths

The organisers of the one million youths to march for Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state to galvanise support for his second term bid said they have so far mobilized the active participation of over 600, 000 young men and women.

Chairman of the movement, Hon. Edison Ehie, representing Ahoada-East state constituency 2 and Secretary, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akuku-Toru state constituency 1, both in the state parliament insisted in a joint interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital over the weekend that all Youths who have volunteered to join the movement have their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs).

Ehie stated: “Rivers youths are showing solidarity for Governor Wike because of his unparalleled support for youths. For the first time, youths are a force to reckon with in all strata of government in Rivers State.

“The governor has elevated youths in the executive council; in the legislature; in the academic sector; in the education sector; in the health sector; and virtually all strata of the state. He has given N500 million to all the tertiary institutions in the state to upgrade academic facilities to enhance education.”

Jack stressed that the one million youths march for a new Rivers State is to show appreciation for what Governor Wike is doing for youths in the state. He budgeted N2 billion for youths’ empowerment; N1 billion for women empowerment and N6 billion for employment generation, including interest-free loans.

Both Ehie and Jack maintained: “Today, Rivers youths are in the mainstream of Rivers politics. The governor has directed that youths should be spurred to play active part in politics at the local government level. His record in the area of youths empowerment is unbeatable.”

According to Ehie, Governor Wike has given approval for the sponsorship of 100 Rivers indigenes into the PAMOL University of Medical Sciences every year to further empower Rivers youths.

“It is unprecedented. So, as a people, we are showing appreciation to a governor that has given the youths of Rivers State a formidable platform from which to embrace the future.”

The lawmaker representing Ahoada-East state constituency reasoned: “We know that youths in Rivers State are more than one million. So, with one million votes from the youths, Wike’s second term bid is safe and dry.”

Responding to a question on If the governor has truly performed, why then is the group talking about one million youths to support his second term bid?

Jack, the lawmaker representing Akuku-Toru state constituency explained that the movement is not aimed at rallying the youths, but rather, to galvanise the youths to show appreciation for what Wike has done for their various constituencies and have a foothold in Rivers politics.

“If politicians in Rivers State know that there are one million youths with their PVCs, who are active politically and are prepared to vote at any given election, then our leaders, after Governor Wike would have completed his second term will continue to follow the path laid by Wike.”

Ehie and Jack emphasised that the movement is currently engaging youths who are 18 years and above in the 23 local government areas in the state. “One million youths with PVCs will be more interested in voting for a candidate that have transformed youth participation in politics and government, rather than be involved in electoral malpractices.

They dismissed the fear that the federal government may use the formidable forces at its disposal, including the military to rig PDP out of power in the state come 2019 by saying that it was a farce and erroneous because the votes of the people will count in 2019.