Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has been unveiled Friday as the Rivers State deputy governoship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Mrs Dikeh, a celebrity will run along side Hon. Tonte Ibraye as the governoship flagbearer of the party.
Hon. Ibraye emerged the ADC candidate at a primary election recently conducted by the Chief Ralph Nwosu-led leadership of ADC.
Both Hon. Ibraye and Mrs Dike, who are 37 years old, will be running on the leverage provided by the Not-too-young-to-run act signed into law by president Muhammadu Buhari in May 2018.
While delivering her acceptance speech at a press conference at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, the highly elated Mrs Dikeh said she decided to venture into the race in order to advance her career in politics and governance, motivate and encourage other women, especially the youth, to get involved in active politics in other to be part of policy formulation and decision-making process.
” I know this is coming as a surprise, but i want to use this medium to advance my career in politics and governance, motivate and encourage other women, especially the youth, to get involved in active politics in other to be part of policy formulation and decision-making process in a view to better the life of our younger generations.
“We shall work out modalities for job creation for massive employment, inclusion of more youth and women in governance and play vital roles in the development of Rivers State where their ideas and strength can be properly utilized.
“As a patriotic Nigerian, an advocate of good governance and a humanitarian who have positively touched the lives of millions of less privileged through my foundation, The Tonto Dikeh Foundation, and my experience on governance, leadership, and administration from Committee of Youth on Mobilization Sensitisation (CYMS), | will play a crucial role in moving our dear state forward,” She stated.
Mrs Dikeh appealed to her fans, teaming supporters, well meaning River’s sons and daughters, as well as all eligible voters to please get their PVCs ready ahead of the 2023 general elections.
In his remarks, National Chairman of ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu assured that Mrs Dikeh will use her creativity with wish she has transformed the entertainment sector to effect change in governance and politics of Rivers State.
He challenged other political parties to emulate the standard set by ADC in giving chance to the younger generation to access political offices so that they can judiciously use the State resources to better the lot of the people.
Also speaking, the governoship candidate, Hon. Ibraye promised that when elected, he will work with relevant data to address the problem of unemployment and other social vices among the teeming youths in the State.
Hon. Ibraye boasted that he was not perturbed by the popularity of APC and PDP in the State, vowing that the ADC will dislodge both parties at the poll come 2023.