Stakeholders call for Dakuku’s resignation over campaign rally.

By Funso Olojo |

There was a wide spread indignation among critical maritime stakeholders over the weekend following the gubernatorial elections campaign at Opobo in Rivers State by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Adolph Peterside on Friday.
It would be recalled that Peterside was seen along side Rotimi Ameachi, his political mentor and the minister of transportation addressing a political rally at Opobo, Rivers state, preparatory to the 2019 elections.
Most operators who spoke to our correspondent however called for immediate resignation of NIMASA DG.
According to them , the office of the DG of the apex maritime regulatory agency is too serious and sensitive to be combined with politics.

According to Matthew Alalade, the President of Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, it is anomalous for Dakuku as DG to combine his office as NIMASA DG with his gubernatorial ambition because NIMASA job requires full concentration.

Recall that Peterside who was once a member of the House of Representatives, also contested against the incumbent governor of the state, Barr. Nyesom Wike in 2015 elections which Wike won.

However, in preparations for the 2019 elections, Peterside has started his campaign in the company of his boss and political benefactor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi, the Minister of Transportation
Engr. Alalade, said the maritime industry was too sensitive to be manned with divided attention.

“He should resign if he wants to pursue politics because the maritime industry is not an industry where you will not be focused .
“He promised to achieve blue sea economy for us, how can he do that if he is not focused.
“That is why he lost in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) election because he was not focused. The government should remove him and put somebody that is focused because we cannot afford to lose the potency of the maritime industry as the second earner for the government,” he said.
Another stakeholder who craved for anonymity stated that it was possible for Peterside to engage in such act because his party is at the center.

He added that the NIMASA boss had nothing to lose if he resigned saying except he relies on the agency’s funds to run his campaign.

When contacted through Whatsapp message, the Deputy Director, New Communication of NIMASA, Isichie Osamgbi failed to respond to the questions sent to him.