A Chieftain of the main opposition political party in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Dr. Godswill Richman, has restated the resolve of the party to clinch power both at the national, state and local government levels come 2023, despite the challenges and internal squabbles the party is currently experiencing.
Dr. Richman, a gubernatorial aspirant from Uyo Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria, while on a visit to the corporate headquarters of Voice of Nigeria Abuja, said that the crisis rocking the party at the national level has been resolved amicably emphasizing that the party is one family which is committed to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress APC come 2023.
“The issues in PDP have been resolved. The PDP is one family. The convention that will be coming up in October this year will take care of every other matter. Remember there is no family without quarrel”, he said.
He however revealed that the PDP national convention has been scheduled for October 2021 and expressed optimism that the convention would bring stability and peace to the party which would lead to massive defection of people from other parties into the PDP.
“After the convention, we are expecting to see the growth of the party and massive defection of people from other political parties to the PDP. This is because today everybody wants PDP back in power”, he said.
Governorship aspiration
Dr. Richman said that he’s aspiring to become the next governor of Akwa Ibom state to build on the foundations laid by the past governors of the state. He said he would achieve this by embarking on industrialization of the state for job creation and mass employment of the teeming population of Akwa Ibom youths. Richman also extolled the virtues of the current minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Godswill Akpabio and the current governor of Akwa Ibom state, Dr. Udom Emmanuel, describing them as true patriots who are committed to a better, stronger and more united Nigeria adding that those leaders are doing their best to make life more meaningful for the citizens of the state.
“The people of Akwa Ibom state need development. The former Governor Godswill Akpabio and the present Governor Udom Emmanuel built infrastructures and embarked on industrialization of the state and I want to be the governor of Akwa Ibom state to continue the industrialization and human capital development. My entire vision is to turn Akwa Ibom state to a modern Dubai”, he affirmed.
Insecurity
On the current security situation in the country, Dr. Richman however expressed dismay over the socio-economic and security challenges facing the nation but expressed optimism that the country would overcome the problems with determination and unity of purpose. He says Nigeria has a great future despite the present challenges.
Dr. Richman assured that if he becomes the Governor, he would adopt the Israeli model of security where technology would be heavily deployed to track down offenders. He also emphasized on the need of training and retraining of security personnel for optimal performance.
“Nigeria is a great country with a great future. The current challenges will be overcome. For Akwa Ibom state, the security architecture and strategy that I’m bringing if elected as the next Governor of the state will be the same with the Israeli Security architecture. This is a situation where everybody entering the state will be registered and given a tag at the entry points. Cameras and other technologies will be massively deployed to fight crime in the state”, he stated.
On the strategy of succeeding in his aspiration of becoming the governor of Akwa Ibom state, Dr. Godswill said that he already has a foundation which focuses on youth empowerment and job creation adding that he intends to bring in foreign investors who will explore, harness and develop various aspects of agricultural production especially in the areas of food and solid minerals exploration which Akwa Ibom is known for.
“I’m carrying the youths along in whatever that I’m doing. I have had meetings with the youth and women’s wing of the party in Akwa Ibom state including the civil society groups. In fact I have a foundation that takes care of some social issues. The issue of unemployment, by Gods grace will be eradicated within two years of my administration through massive industrialization”, he emphasized.
He urged Nigerians to keep faith in the unity of the nation assuring that new crop of politicians are rising to right the wrongs of past administrations in the country.
Nneka Ukachukwu
