Tein Jack-Rich, a businessman and politician, has cautioned against what he describes as efforts by new entrants into the All Progressives Congress (APC) to oust long-standing members of the ruling party.
Jack-Rich was reported to have made the warning in Abuja in the course of submitting his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest for the Rivers West Senatorial seat on the platform of the APC.
In a statement signed by him on Thursday, May 7, the APC chieftain said while the party should continue to embrace new members, it must not jettison those who stood with it from its early days.
He said the influx of politicians into the APC was good for democratic growth, but the party must strike a balance between accommodating new members and protecting the interests of loyal members.
Jack-Rich said members that supported the APC when the party’s future was hanging in the balance should not be sidelined now that the party controls the Federal Government.
“What is important to the party, he said, is to continue to recognise and honour legacy members who have been there from inception while accommodating new entrants for growth.”
He added: “It is important to cherish your biological child while adopting new children. You have to maintain that balance.
The senatorial aspirant said that many founding members of the APC passed through difficult times, criticism and political pressure when some people doubted the party’s chances of survival.
He said it would be unfair for such members to be sidelined because the party has become attractive to new entrants.
“We were there when they called us names,” Jack-Rich said. I was there when they didn’t believe in us. When they tried to stop us.
“Today, that we have a president, some people are coming in hard and trying to push us out. We won’t accept it.
Jack-Rich to Run for Senate
On his ambition, Jack-Rich said he took the decision to go for the Rivers West Senatorial seat to provide experienced and purposeful representation to the district.
He described himself as one of the long-standing supporters of the APC at state and national levels, adding that he had always worked for the success of the party and its candidates.
“I have been a major supporter of this party at the state and national levels, he said. “I have worked with governors, assembly members, representatives, senators and even presidents, and I will continue to do so.”
Jack-Rich said he is sure to get the party ticket and win the senatorial election.
“I am happy to say that I have submitted my form, and I am going to work very hard for the primaries. I’m very confident that I’m going to win the Senate seat. “Rivers West will be great again.”
The APC aspirant said his over 28 years’ experience in the oil and gas sector had prepared him to contribute meaningfully to legislative work especially on issues affecting the energy industry.
He said the Senate needs lawmakers who understand the oil sector and can support President Bola Tinubu’s administration with ideas and legislation that would enhance oil production and grow the economy.
“We need a senator who understands the oil industry and can back the president with bills and ideas that will help us produce more oil,” Jack-Rich said.
He described Rivers West as one of the most strategic senatorial districts in the country owing to its economic importance and oil-producing capacity.
He said, “The Rivers West Senatorial District is the largest in the state in terms of landmass and it is the oil bank of Nigeria.
“My field is in Rivers West, so I know the terrain and the issues.”
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