A political support group in Rivers State, the OK Support Group, has pledged to mobilize over 40,000 voters across the state for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and other candidates of the Rainbow Coalition in the state. The group's Director General, Engr Ovunda Chinda, disclosed this in an interview in Port Harcourt. He described the OK Support Group as a non-governmental organisation comprising trade unions, student groups, Christian and Islamic associations, as well as civil society organisations.
The OK Support Group's major objective is to mobilise support for the Rainbow Coalition candidates and promote peaceful political participation in the state. According to Engr Chinda, the organisation has begun a door-to-door sensitisation, media campaigns and other outreach activities to educate residents on the candidates they should vote for during the elections. He said the group has a fan base of over 40,000 people in Rivers State, with many more still coming.
Engr Chinda attributed the prevailing peaceful political atmosphere in Rivers State to the activities of the Rainbow Coalition, which he said had brought together several political groups to promote peace and cooperation. He expressed confidence in the leadership abilities of the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Kingsley Chinda, citing his previous record as commissioner and his legislative activities as evidence of his capacity to deliver development in the state.
Hon. Chinda's track record as Commissioner for Environment includes initiating the Scrap-to-Wealth programme at Saakpenwa and the "Rivers Green" project aimed at restoring greenery in the city of Port Harcourt and environs. The OK Support Group convener said education, human capital development, security and road construction would be given adequate attention by Hon. Chinda's administration. He also expressed optimism that an administration headed by Hon. Chinda would introduce programmes to support disadvantaged students and improve access to education.
Engr Chinda cited the removal of fuel subsidy by President Tinubu's administration, which has made more funds available to state and local governments for infrastructural development and payment of salaries, as well as various federal projects across the country. He dismissed speculations that opposition political parties may spring surprises during the election in Rivers State, arguing that both the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition political parties lack strong political presence in the state.
Engr Chinda denied allegations that APC supporters were destroying the opposition's billboards, stressing that the claims need to be properly verified. He urged Rivers residents to assess political candidates carefully and avoid being influenced by unverified claims. Engr Chinda maintained that the OK Support Group would continue its mobilisation and sensitization efforts in support of the Rainbow Coalition candidates.
The OK Support Group's efforts are part of a broader move by the APC to secure a second presidential term for President Tinubu. The party recently launched its presidential campaign in Kaduna State, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima appealing to Northern voters, highlighting President Tinubu's political relationships with prominent Northern leaders.
Key points
- The OK Support Group plans to mobilize 40,000 voters for the Rainbow Coalition candidates in Rivers State.
- The group is confident in the leadership abilities of APC governorship candidate, Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
- President Tinubu's administration has made more funds available to state and local governments through the removal of fuel subsidy.
