Tein Jack-Rich, a businessman and politician, has warned of what he calls the efforts of new entrants into the All Progressives Congress (APC) to eject long-standing members of the ruling party.
Jack-Rich, was reported to have 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 welcome new members, it must not abandon those who stood with it from its early days.
He stated that 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 those 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, he said, is to continue to recognise and honour legacy members who have been there from inception while accommodating new entrants for growth.
He said: “It’s important to love your biological child and to adopt new children. You have to keep that balance.
The senatorial hopeful said that 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 unfair for such members to be sidelined 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 shan’t have it.
Jack-Rich Announces Senate Bid
On his ambition, Jack-Rich said he decided to go for the Rivers West Senatorial seat to give experienced and purposeful representation to the district.
He identified himself as one of the long-standing supporters of the APC at the state and national levels, adding that he had always worked towards the success of the party and its candidates.
“I have been a key supporter of this party both 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 work with them.”
Jack-Rich expressed confidence that he will pick the party ticket and win the senatorial election.
“I am glad to say that I have submitted my form, and I am going to work very hard for the primaries. I feel 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 of experience in the oil and gas sector had prepared him to contribute meaningfully to legislative work particularly on issues affecting the energy industry.
He said the Senate requires lawmakers who understand the oil sector and can support President Bola Tinubu’s administration with ideas and legislation that would boost oil production and grow the economy.
“We need a senator who understands the oil industry and can support 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 because of its economic importance and oil producing capacity.
He said, “Rivers West Senatorial District is the largest in the state in terms of land mass and it is the oil bank of Nigeria.
“My field is Rivers West, so I know the terrain and the issues.
