Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship
candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State has described
the allegation of cultism against him by the Rivers State chapter of the
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as unkind and uncharitable. For him, this is
taking politics of mudslinging too far. This latest evil and immoral
accusation, he believes, is an attempt to destroy his hard-earned
reputation.
The APC candidate who stated this in
Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital called on politicians to focus on
issues that would improve the living standards of their people rather than
resorting to criminal and baseless accusation and cheap blackmail that are
capable of exacerbating the already tensed political atmosphere in the state.
According to Peterside, this accusation
runs contrary to his ideals as a practising Christian and preacher of the
Gospel. “I am amused by this baseless allegation because as a Christian, I know
where I stand with Christ. And any attempt by anybody or group to
tarnish my hard earned reputation will be resisted and
challenged.
“I never belonged to any secret society
or cult group all my life including my university days and I will never be. For
emphasis sake, let me unequivocally state that I was never a member of any cult
as alleged by my accusers.
“From 1986 to 2011, I was a member of
Church of God Mission International but for distance, I had to change my
denomination to Salvation Ministries and my pastor can attest to my undiluted
Christian life and spiritual standing. Curiously, this unfortunate allegation
is coming from a party that Rivers People and the Christian community are
alleging of parading known Ogboni members.
“Perhaps this is a diversionary tactics
to divert attention from the demand of the Christian community in Rivers State
that those who aspire to the high office of governor must have high moral and
spiritual standing. And that the church resolve not to vote for anybody with
secret society background is firm and well known, and this is highly
commendable. I can say without any fear that I was never and will never join
any cult.
“For me, the issues before the
electorate go beyond unfounded and criminal accusation. I am aware
that Rivers people know all of us and our moral standing and character,
including the issue of Christianity and where I stand. One would
have expected my accusers to face the real issues of providing quality
leadership rather than crying wolf where there is none.
“I am an open book! In my
days both at Okrika Grammar School, OGS and Rivers State University of Science
and Technology where I served as National President of National Union of Rivers
State Students, NURSS, among other positions, I did not join any cult group not
even with the excuse of youthful exuberance. This accusation is therefore
unjustified and should be disregarded.
“I consider this a flagrant assault on
my reputation and integrity and I am not going to take this lying low.
Therefore, I am going to challenge this affront on my person and character in
the court of law”, he said.
Tags
Politics