Governorship candidate of the Action People’s Party (APP) in Rivers State in the 2023 general election, Sir Lessi Gborogbosi, has expressed confidence in taking over power from incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara in 2027.
Gborogbosi, making the projection in Port Harcourt weekend, said he would however, ahead of the next elections, provide expert advisory to Governor Fubara in assisting to deliver good governance for Rivers people.
He said: “As next governor of Rivers, I will take over from Governor Fubara after the next elections, by the grace of God. Meantime, my advisory and expertise will be available to Fubara in providing good governance.”
With a career spanning over three decades in management and finance control, Gborogbosi hopes to bring to bear his wealth of experience and a vision that resonates with aspirations of the people for the Rivers of their dreams.
He emphasised, “Having honed my skills in the private sector through working at Shell Nigeria, I am well-prepared to transition into the role of Chief Executive Officer of Rivers State.
“My candidacy emphasises governance guided by integrity, competence, and deep-rooted faith. My commitment to serving the people in sincerity and accountability is the cornerstone of my vision for the future of Rivers State.
“I have a comprehensive roadmap for the development and progress of Rivers State. Central to that vision are Nine Governance Priorities (NGP), each designed to address critical areas of development and upliftment within Rivers State.
“These priorities are not mere promises, but actionable plans that reflect my commitment to effecting positive change in the welfare of the people. One of my key priorities is good and integrated governance.
“The state government, local government, state House of Assembly, the judiciary, traditional rulers, private sector, and social sector will work together to deliver happiness to the people of Rivers.
“The goal is to achieve development everywhere. We will budget yearly, ₦30 billion for job creation to enable us to create between 23,000 to 30,000 jobs per year across Rivers State, having 1,000 jobs per LGA.
“We will invest in all sectors of the economy using Public Private Partnerships, set up an ultra-modern music recording studio and event centre at low costs for entertainers. Every senatorial area will have a standard stadium. The goal is for anyone staying in villages to access job opportunities.”
Still on the nine governance priorities, Gborogbosi added, “Solid education is also critical to our future success. We must invest in our schools, teachers, and students to ensure access to quality education for all.
“My focus is to move from the ‘education of knowing’ to the ‘education of solving problems’. The goal is to develop innovative minds to solve societal problems.
“We must work to create a safe and secure environment for everyone, free from crime and violence. We will invest in the police force, the courts, and community policing to protect lives and properties and secure operating environments for business interests.
“A strong economy is also crucial to our success. We must work to attract new businesses and funds to Rivers State while also supporting our existing businesses to help them grow and thrive.”
“I am focusing on building three new cities in Rivers. Port Harcourt will remain the administrative capital of the State. I will situate a new city in each of the three senatorial areas. These cities will be economic cities and economic hubs.”
Harping on human capital development, his government, he added, would invest in the youth and women, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to succeed in today’s economy.
