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Barrister Dumo Lulu-Briggs

A formidable socio-cultural women’s group, the Bright Ladies of Rivers State, has joined the growing ranks of the teeming number of Rivers people joining the All Progressives Congress APC Rivers Chapter, when they openly declared for the party and called on a frontline chieftain of the APC in the State, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, a barrister at law, to run for the Governorship of the state in 2019.

The Bright Ladies of Rivers State made their declaration on Sunday, 5 November, 2017, when Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, in line with his dedicated crusade to help build the All Progressives Congress APC Rivers chapter and win more converts to the party, led a powerful delegation of APC Rivers faithful on a mobilisation drive, to meet the women pleading with them to join the APC and throw their considerable weight behind the efforts of the Party to galvanise Rivers people to embrace and support the change agenda in Rivers State come 2019.

Playing host to the business mogul and legal practitioner, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, in Port Harcourt, the women, who numbered in thousands, defied the elements and stood firm under the unfriendly sky, chanting songs of praises to usher in the esteemed humanist and man of the day, who had taken it upon himself to come personally to felicitate with them and seek their partnership in the collective struggle to liberate Rivers State from its present doldrums and make the state great again.

The determination of the Bright Ladies of Rivers State to stand in solidarity with the mission of the call for change was underscored when their distinguished guest and his entourage arrived the venue but had to wade through the sea of women as they made their way into the hall, even as shouts and echoes of joy and praises in different tongues continued to envelope the air, while many clapped, danced and others, struck in the awe and breath-taking essence of the moment, couldn’t help but reach out to gently touch and have a feel of this charismatic personality, who many have described as God’s gift to humanity and to the Rivers people in particular.

When he finally made his way into the hall and up to the high table with his entourage, it was as though the arena was further ignited with songs that filled the atmosphere with an outpouring of joy, laughter and freedom, in an unequivocal manifestation that the Bright Ladies of Rivers State had indeed given a king’s welcome to a man they called their very own, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs in a show of love never seen in recent time.

The women group representing all the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State and non indigenes, turned out with over a thousand women creating an overwhelming overflow that filled two large halls and the premises. The position of every LGA coordinator who spoke at the event was clear “…we need you to be our governor come 2019…we need you to come and save us from the shackles of insecurity and poverty…we want a governor who will not give guns to our children, and that person can only be you…,” they chorused in unison.

In her speech, the President of the group, Mrs. Christy Ortens-Ofor declared that, “the Governor Wike administration is a failure to the women of Rivers State, that the administration has underplayed the importance of education, leaving no job opportunity and denying Rivers people adequate security and peace”

She then described Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs as a lover of peace and a friend to the youths, the women and to the elderly and echoing the charge of the multitude of Bright Ladies of Rivers State, urged him to run for the governorship of Rivers state in 2019.

Responding to the call, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, expressed profound humility and appreciation to the Bright Ladies of Rivers State for the overwhelming reception accorded him and his encourage, even as he hailed them for the courage and tenacity they have displayed by openly declaring their unwavering support for the All Progressives Congress, APC Rivers State.

He said: “Indeed, the tenacity, the courage and the fearlessness displayed by the Bright Ladies is a clear indication that women are prepared to do what men may not be able to do. You have given me reasons to believe that you have the capacity to bring about the desired change to our dear Rivers State.

“But if truly you want me to run for governorship and win, then you all must be willing to join the APC to work towards a Rivers State that is united first under God Almighty, second, under the party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and finally, under one leader, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.”

Chief Lulu-Briggs also told the Bright Ladies that the APC was a party that recognizes the efforts of women in the political and electoral process and is ever ready to show appreciation, and while urging the women to go back to their various wards, identify with party leaders and inform others, especially the undecided, on the need to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), re-assured them of adequate women representation in all party activities and in the expected APC regime.

He then called on the women to expedite action and officially register with the All Progressives Congress, now that they have declared their support for the party and expressed their solidarity with him and in the incontestable leadership of Rt. Hon. Chibiike Rotimi Amaechi as the leader of the APC in Rivers state, even as he pledged to personally facilitate the official processes of registration.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation to the humble philanthropist per-excellence, of a life-sized portrait of himself by the ladies, but the major high point of the hugely successful mobilization visit, was the announcement by Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, on behalf of the leader of the APC in Rivers State and the South South, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, of a handsome financial donation to the Bright Ladies of Rivers State, to assist them with their logistics, as well as two hundred bags of rice to the women to support them and their families.