MY ABSENCE HAS NOT DWINDLED MY LOVE FOR MY PEOPLE, TONTO DIKEH ASSURES IN A GRAND HOMECOMING
It was a euphoric atmosphere yesterday 23rd July 2022 in Rivers State as the deputy governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2023 gubernatorial election, Her excellency Amb. Tonto W. C. Dikeh storms her hometown of Rumuokania community in Rumuokwuta clan of Apara Kingdom of Obio descent in what is today part of Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State in a grand homecoming organised by the Committee of Youths on Mobilisation and Sensitization to an astounding welcome.
The enigmatic diva whom, for the past decade has dazzled the family screen of Nigerian homes and beyond, has ventured into a vocation implied by many as polar opposite from what she’d been reckoned for over the years, to a minimal surprise of many Nigerians. With the recent development of the emergence of Amb. Tonto as the deputy governorship candidate of the ADC for Rivers State guber elections, reactions and questions has trailed the news, many commending her for the bold move, while others has expressed worry, calling to question her competence, borrowing from the sharp shift from her perceived realm of expertise. These concerns and many more she sought to address in her homecoming to her primary constituency.
Receiving royal blessings from the paramount ruler of Rumuokania community of Rumuokwuta clan Eze Michael Lawson Chinda (Kpańwo VI), chiefs in council, elders, women, youths and the entire people of Rumuokania community who trooped out enmasse to welcome their industrious and illustrious daughter, Amb. Tonto Dikeh assured her people that despite being away from home in pursuit of a better life, her love for her people has always been pivotal in her heart.
Speaking further, Her excellency Amb. Tonto Dikeh intimated that her decision to join her political ally Mr. Ibraye in the race to acquire power to govern River State was not a spontaneous one, rather a vision which has required calculated and progressive investment in her self development and leadership acumen. She insisted that, against some unsubstantiated insinuations, she’s not venturing into an unchartered territory, rather she’d spent the past political dispensation preparing herself for the humongous task ahead. By exuding leadership proclivity as an integral part of the leadership of Committee of Youth on Mobilisation and Sensitization (CYMS), she’s undoubtedly convinced that she’s ready to play a key role in the resuscitation of Rivers State, her economy and her people.
_”I’ve spend the past three years working with the federal government and engaging youths from different sectors on mobilization, sensitization and human capacity development, I stand here boldly to tell you that I am ready”._
Present in her entourage was the governorship candidate of the ADC His excellency Mr. Tonte Ibraye who described Tonto Dikeh as a woman of many parts. Mr. Ibraye blasted the ugly system of leadership recycling in our country and state, citing this grotesque condition as the very bane of development in Rivers State. Mr. Ibraye called on all well meaning Rivers men, women, youths as well as all who reside and does business in the state to support him and Tonto to bring to reality an enabling state for all and sundry.
Also present to receive their own was the paramount ruler of Apara kingdom Eze Worlu Wodo, the royal majesty of Rebisi kingdom in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area Barr. Uchechukwu Isaiah Elikwu (Eze Epara Rebisi XII). Also in her entourage was the director general of Committee of Youth for Mobilisation and Sensitization (CYMS) Comr. Obinna Nwaka, all the LGA chairmen of ADC, her friends, political associates, and most remarkably, her father Chief Sunny Dikeh JP, all of whom reposed confidence in her aspirations and pledged to support in it’s actualization.
ADC – Arise!
Arise – Arise Rivers State!!
