Rivers PRP aspirant backs Baba-Ahmed, slams government

Nature Dumale, governorship aspirant of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Rivers State, has called on party members nationwide to remain steadfast in their support for the party’s National Chairman, Dr Akeem Baba-Ahmed.

Dumale said Baba-Ahmed possesses deep political roots, vast experience and genuine commitment to the growth of the party, stressing that distractions are inevitable in politics.

He accused the Federal Government of attempting to weaken opposition parties, insisting that opposition remains critical to strengthening democracy through constructive criticism and accountability.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Dumale said that despite controlling many states through its governors, the ruling party still viewed opposition voices as threats.

According to him, the government is uncomfortable with opposition because of its inability to address critical national issues.

“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 ensure better governance.

“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 still not working,” he said.

Speaking on the country’s security situation, Dumale described insecurity as alarming, saying conditions had deteriorated across several states, particularly Plateau State.

He reminded the government of its primary responsibility to protect lives and property, lamenting that many youths involved in crime and violence lack proper orientation and direction.

He also decried the plight of Nigerian youths, describing their future as bleak in a country that often turns them into political thugs.

Dumale promised that the PRP would prioritise youth empowerment, skill acquisition and rehabilitation programmes if allowed to serve.

He said his organisation, Youth Rescue International Development Organisation (YRIDO), had 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 centres of Youth Rescue International in Jos, Plateau State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, we graduated many youths we took off the streets after keeping them in our facilities.

“We have successfully reconciled them with their parents and reintegrated them into society, while also providing them with skill training to become productive and responsible citizens of our country,” he said.

The PRP governorship aspirant also urged Rivers residents and the church to rise against intimidation, oppression and manipulation, insisting that the state has suffered a prolonged political crisis and infighting.

He said the prolonged crisis and failure to pass the state budget had hindered development in Rivers State.

“There will be no meaningful development in a state where there is prolonged anarchy and infighting. No budget has been passed in this state, and it is against procurement law to execute projects without a budget,” he said.

Dumale urged voters to elect leaders with compassion, empathy and verifiable records of service to humanity before entering politics.

He promised that a PRP-led government would expand youth rehabilitation and skills empowerment programmes if given the mandate 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 passive in addressing the challenges confronting the people.