The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. (Dr.) Gift Worlu, has called on residents to actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise to strengthen the area’s political influence in Rivers State and beyond.
Dr Worlu appealed on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the council secretariat in Rumuodomaya. The meeting brought together traditional rulers, community development committee chairmen, youth presidents, market leaders, and opinion leaders.
Addressing the gathering, the council boss said the forum was aimed at uniting all stakeholders under one roof to chart a common course for the development of Obio/Akpor. He described the local government as a major political force in Nigeria, noting that many prominent leaders of Rivers State politics hail from the area.
“Obio/Akpor is not a mere geographical space but a people with unique characteristics. Everyone wants to live and do business here, and we must take advantage of these opportunities,” Dr Worlu said.
On security, he expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnapping, robbery, and drug abuse among youths, warning that the menace of drugs was fast becoming the next pandemic. He also raised alarm over land grabbing in the area, alleging that some individuals disguise as real estate developers to dispossess rightful landowners.
Turning to national politics, the chairman commended Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, for his role in the Southern Presidency struggle, which contributed to the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He praised the president for extending projects and appointments to Rivers State and urged stakeholders to mobilise their communities to register massively.
“What we need to do as a people to tell President Tinubu thank you is to go back to our communities and encourage everyone to take part in the ongoing voter registration exercise. Obio/Akpor must deliver the highest number of registered voters in Rivers State,” he stated.
