Beks Dagogo Jack states what will lead to Gov. Wike’s ouster in 2019 (Interview)

Engr. Bekinbo Dagogo Jack, (Generally called Beks), Chairman, Contact and mobilization committee,  Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC,  in this interview, explained the crucial issues that would lead to the exit of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led state government.

Excerpts of this explosive interview:

Question: what informed the inauguration of the LGA cells?

Response: Thank you. The LGA cells are very critical to the election that is coming. From all indications, the election that is coming will be a referendum of the people, on the way forward. What kind of government do we want in rivers state? So, the LGA cells have a duty to reach to the inner most corners of the state, from the ward to the unit and take a message, the message of our party, to the farther most parts of the state. They will also win souls for the Party in preparation for the elections. This time around our people will vote and votes will count so we want our people to vote sensibly . The cells will empower our people with facts to vote sensibly. This government has been disconnected from the people on many levels. The people can’t wait to express their anger.

 

Question 2: what do you think about the ongoing preparations for LGA elections by the PDP?

Response: First and foremost, the election is an act of brazen impunity by the Wike administration. It is a desperate act of impunity aimed at positioning notorious hooligans across the LGAs in preparation for the 2019 elections but we will surprise them. Its an illegality and I believe it will not stand the test of time. The results of this illegality will crumble sooner than you think. Again , in spite of the illegality have you noticed what is going on? The level of violence and arson that attended the primaries ? This tells us clearly that violence is part of the DNA of the party called PDP. It is a shame that the primaries of local government election will lead to this level of violence across the state. Rivers people are fed up with this culture of violence and by God’s grace the people shall rise up together to end this culture in 2019.

 

Question 3: Will the APC be ready for the PDP during the 2019 elections, considering all the stories of internal conflict in the party?

Response: There is no party, even more so, a ruling party, in which you will not see different shades of opinion and interests.
But as it is often said, all politics is local. The pains Rivers people are suffering.The pains, the open abandonment of many areas , the impunity , the deliberate disrespect and  marginalisation of the State Assembly and mind boggling waste going on in this administration will leave our people with little choice than voting out the current dispensation.
So please be aware that what you describe as conflict is very small in the eyes of our people compared to the many crises in the State since this government came in. The PDP is struggling with its tattered image and searching for credible leadership like a needle in a haystack will be no match for us in 2019.

 

Question 4: Rivers people are very anxious about a possible repeat of the 2015 massive election time violence and killings in 2019. What assurances can your party, APC, which holds sway at the federal level give to assuage their fears?

Response: yes, you are right. All of us were here. We saw the level of killings even before the election in Okirika and other parts of Rivers State, just because of election. There is an assumption from the side of the PDP that they will repeat the same level of intimidation and frightening of voters, so that voters will not come near the polling booth and they can do their usual election magic. I want to tell you that President Buhari is ready for them this time around. In 2019 the federal government will secure the rights of citizens to come out and vote, like no other time. So, I will appeal to Rivers people to get ready for 2019. The federal government will ensure that PDP cannot intimidate any voter in 2019. Voters shall vote out this government without any fear or intimidation.

 

Question 5: There are repeated rumours of massive use of monetary inducement by the Wike government to conscript many of our youths into militant gangs to be used for political violence. Is there any evidence in support of these claims?

Response: I don’t have any evidence, but in life, sometimes you ignore rumours to your peril. So, some of these rumours are very worrying that as we speak now, the only thing the state government seem to accept that they have for competition is cash to influence government institutions, conscript youths for violence and so on. Why don’t they use the money to build projects? Real projects! Not the kind of projects we hear them talk about . Why don’t they use the money to fight poverty in the state? Why don’t they use the money to fight the environmental crisis confronting us? Hunger is ravaging our people across the State yet our State is reputed as the principal financier of the PDP.
If these rumours are true then it’s a real pity that a sitting government instead of campaigning on its actual performance records is now using money desperately to keep itself in office. They shall fail.