Bomba Dauda
A political pressure group, the Middle Belt Patriotic Youth Front (MBPYF), has described the disqualification of Engr. Tein Jack Rich by the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial screening committee as “insensitive, callous and anti-democratic.”
In a statement signed by its National President, Hon. Bagudu Joseph, and National Secretary, Hon. Bishop Kanetapwa Douglas, the group expressed shock and disappointment over the development, insisting that the decision has unsettled many party faithful across the country.
The forum described Tein Jack Rich, President and Founder of Belema Oil Limited and a former presidential aspirant, as a committed APC member and philanthropist whose support for the party and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been remarkable.
According to the statement, Rich’s contributions to democracy, the APC and governance in Nigeria have earned him admiration beyond Rivers State and across the globe.
“We read with utmost shock and bewilderment the decision to disqualify a dedicated APC member and a global philanthropist extraordinaire whose dedication to the APC and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is second to none,” the statement read.
The group called on the APC leadership to reconsider and reverse the decision, arguing that it does not reflect the democratic ideals of the ruling party.
MBPYF also appealed to President Tinubu to intervene in the matter and ensure that the people of Rivers East Senatorial District are allowed to freely choose who represents them at the National Assembly.
The group maintained that allowing the electorate to decide their representative remains an inalienable constitutional and electoral right.
