The Governorship Aspirant of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Rivers State, Nature Dumale, has called on party members nationwide to remain steadfast behind the leadership of the party's National Chairman, Dr Akeem Baba Ahmed.
Dumale stated that the National Chairman possesses deep political roots and experience, and means well for the party, emphasizing that distractions are inevitable in politics. He accused the Federal Government of attempting to weaken opposition parties, insisting that opposition remains critical in strengthening democracy through constructive criticism and accountability.
In a statement on Sunday, Dumale noted that despite having governors across many states, the ruling party still views opposition voices as threats. He argued that the government is uncomfortable with opposition voices because of its inability to address critical national issues.
He said: "The government of the day does not want any opposition in this nation. Opposition parties are meant to check and constructively criticise the government of the day to do better."
"People are dying daily because of hunger, drug addiction and gangsterism. Billions have been spent on power yet many communities have no electricity. Billions have also been pumped into refineries but they are not working," he added.
Speaking on the security situation, Dumale described insecurity as alarming, saying the situation has deteriorated across several states, particularly Plateau State. He reminded the government of its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property, lamenting that many youths involved in crime and violence lack proper orientation and direction.
He lamented the condition of Nigerian youths, describing their future as bleak in a country that turns them into political thugs. Dumale promised that the PRP would prioritize youth empowerment, skill acquisition, and rehabilitation programs if given the opportunity to serve.
He said his organization, Youth Rescue International Development Organisation (Yrido.org), has spent the last 10 years rehabilitating and reintegrating youths rescued from the streets in Nigeria and beyond. "Just on the 25th of last month, from our two 4R centers of Youth Rescue International in Jos, Plateau State and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, we graduated many youths we took away from the streets after keeping them in our facilities. We have successfully reconciled them with their parents and reintegrated them into society, providing skill training for them to become meaningful and useful citizens of our country," he said.
The PRP governorship aspirant urged residents of the state and the church to rise against intimidation, oppression, and manipulation, insisting that Rivers has suffered prolonged political crisis and infighting. He said the prolonged infighting and the non-passage of the state budget have hindered development in Rivers. "There will be no meaningful development in a state where there is anarchy and infighting that has lasted for years. No budget has been passed in this state and it is against the procurement law to carry out any project without budget," he said.
Dumale urged voters to elect leaders with compassion, empathy, and verifiable records of service to humanity before they joined politics. He promised that the PRP leadership would expand youth rehabilitation and skills empowerment programs if given the opportunity to govern Rivers. "We will ensure that no youth remains on the streets. We will create skill acquisition programmes for them. Politics ends after inauguration; governance begins immediately," he said.
Dumale also decried rising cases of hunger, drug abuse, and gangsterism, describing the government as docile in addressing the challenges facing the people.
