Jack-Rich Warns APC Against Neglecting Loyal Founding Members

Tein Jack-Rich, a businessman and politician, has cautioned against what he described as efforts by new entrants into the All Progressives Congress (APC) to eject long-standing members of the ruling party.

It was reported that Jack-Rich issued the warning in Abuja while submitting his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest 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 who supported the APC when the party’s future was hanging in the balance should not be ignored now that the party controls the Federal Government.

“What is important to the party is to continue to recognise and honour legacy members that have been there from inception while accommodating new entrants for growth,” he said.

“It is important to love your biological child and to adopt new children,” he said. You’ve got to maintain that balance.”

The senatorial hopeful said many founding members of the APC went through difficult times, criticism and political pressure when some people doubted the party’s chances of survival.

It would be unjust to sideline such members because the party has become attractive to new entrants, he said.

“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 have it.

Jack-Rich to Seek Senate Seat

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 said he was among the long-standing supporters of the APC at the state and national levels and 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’ve worked with governors, assembly members, representatives, senators, and even presidents, and I will continue to work with them.”

Jack-Rich said he is confident he will get the party ticket and win the senatorial election.

“I’m pleased to report that I filed my form and I’m going to work very hard for the primaries. I am very confident that I am 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 help President Bola Tinubu’s administration with ideas and legislation that would increase oil production and grow the economy.

“We need a senator who understands the oil industry and can help the president with legislation 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 due to its economic importance and oil producing capacity.

“Rivers West Senatorial District is the largest in the state in terms of land mass and it is the oil bank of Nigeria,” he said.

“My domain is Rivers West, so I’m familiar with the terrain and the issues.