By Jimitota Onoyume

PORT HARCOURT—THE Kalabari ethnic nationality in Rivers State, yesterday, endorsed the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, as their candidate for the governorship election.

Flanked by other prominent chiefs from the area, Chief Broadfield Jack, who spoke on the position of the ethnic group in Port Harcourt, said that their decision stemmed from their agitation for power rotation in the state.

According to him, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who is from the upland area of the state, should be succeeded by a riverine person in the spirit of fairness and justice.

He said: “Although the APC did not pick a Kalabari Ijaw candidate, the APC adhered to the principle of upland/ riverine rotation and the principle of senatorial zoning. The candidature of an Ibani Ijaw person, Dr Peterside, who is from Opobo Nkoro, inspires hope in all other ethnic nationalities in Rivers State.

“As the largest Rivers Ijaw group, Kalabari owes it to Rivers people to show direction whenever such is required. Consequently, we call on all Kalabari Ijaw people, and indeed all well meaning Rivers people, to support and vote Peterisde across political party lines in next month’s governorship election.

“We must vote for Peterside. We must defeat political hegemony. We must ensure that Rivers State continues to be available to all its component units,” he said.