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Tag: Amaechi

  • Media aided APC’s 2015 victory, says Amaechi

    Media aided APC’s 2015 victory, says Amaechi

    •Transportation
    Ministry to
    partner The Nation

    Minister of Transportation Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi yesterday hailed the media for its role in the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 elections.
    The minister spoke when he received a team from The Nation at his office in Abuja.
    He said: “I thank The Nation for its contribution towards the change agenda that we have today. I am sure that if not for the positive input of the press, we probably would not have been here today.
    “While we thank God for the approval for us to come into government, we also thank human elements that God used to achieve that objective and prominent among the media team that helped in achieving the objective is The Nation”
    The minister reiterated that before the end of the first quarter, President Muhammadu Buhari will inaugurate the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway project.
    General Manager, Training and Development of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation, Mr. Soji Omotunde, who led the team, told the minister of the conference being organised by the newspaper on March 30 in Lagos, with the theme: ‘Making Nigerian Seaports World Class.’
    He said: “We are grateful to you for graciously directing that the ministry should collaborate with us in organising the National Conference on Fast-tracking Port Reforms to find competitive alternatives acceptable to all stakeholders.
    “We all know the challenges of the maritime sector and we are aware that they are giving you and the chief executives of the port agencies serious concern. Yet, it is cheering to appreciate that the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the port agencies are now perfecting their own plans to tackle these issues.
    “What Nigerians want is for the government to carry the plans from the drawing board to the playing field. They desire lasting solutions to be delivered to them: A 24-hour cargo clearance, reduction of the number of agencies at the ports, easier evacuation of cleared cargo, a quantum leap in revenue generation, and greater security within the ports and our territorial waters.
    “Nigeria wants a doer, a proven leader, who can muster the political will, who has a track record of tackling tough problems; who can reach out to all the stakeholders and partners; who can find the financial resources from within and outside the budget to fix our maritime ports. They are yearning for that person who has the courage to go against the roadblocks massed by entrenched interests and those benefiting from the present chaotic situation in our ports.
    “The challenges bedevilling our ports are tough and these need a tough person to champion. We believe that you are that person, that’s why we want to support you to succeed.”
    Omotunde added that ‘the purpose of the conference is to integrate and fuse the plans of government and its agents, get the buy-in of major stakeholders, agree on desired outcomes within a defined timeframe, and institute a peer-facilitated platform to hold the agencies and other stakeholders accountable to the goals jointly agreed.”
    He added that over 150 leaders from all port stakeholder groups; including the National Assembly, the port agencies, terminal operators and private-sector players, interest groups and civil society will gather in Lagos for the conference.

  • Wike, Amaechi clash over helicopters

    Wike, Amaechi clash over helicopters

    Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi spoke yesterday on the two helicopters the Customs Service turned over to the Air Force at the weekend.

    He accused former President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Nyesom Wike of blocking the government of Rivers State from taking possession of the controversial helicopters.

    But Wike, in a statement last night, said Amaechi resorted to the purchase of helicopters because he could not provide good governance.

    In a statement by his media office, Amaechi said when he took over as Governor of Rivers State, criminals masquerading as militants, kidnappers and other elements were on the prowl in Rivers State.

    Among measures to combat the menace was the purchase of the helicopters.

    Based on recommendation of security experts, he said his administration bought the two Bell 412 security surveillance helicopters in collaboration with the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    “To show their support, the Federal government through the office of the NSA contributed $15million, about half of the total sum, towards the purchase of the helicopters.

    “Also, the then former President Goodluck Jonathan administration granted waivers to the Rivers State government to purchase and import the helicopters,” Amaechi said.

    The minister said trouble started many months later when the Jonathan administration allegedly frustrated attempts to take possession of the helicopters.

    Amaechi said: “It was obvious why the President Goodluck Jonathan administration acted the way it did and Nyesom Wike, the present Governor of Rivers State was an integral part, a major player in the whole conspiracy to block and prevent Rivers State government from taking possession of the helicopters.

    “Then, as a minister in President Jonathan’s cabinet, Wike inundated President Jonathan with fake stories of how then Governor Amaechi wanted to use the helicopters for Presidential campaigns against Jonathan, how Amaechi will use the helicopters to support President Jonathan’s opponents before and during the presidential elections and all sorts of concocted tales that created a false impression that the Amaechi government in Rivers State would use the helicopters against and to fight President Jonathan, and not to secure lives and property.

    “Wike then, was already nursing the ambition to run for the office of Governor of Rivers State. He didn’t care about the security of lives and property.

    “The helicopters were procured by the Amaechi administration to curb the wanton menace of criminals in the State (which has since worsened under Wike’s watch), but in his usual habit, Governor Wike has decided to abandon and dump the helicopters, because he does not care about the safety and security of lives and property in the State. Sad, very sad.”

    Wike, in a statement by his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, said: “The immediate past Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, could not provide  the  people of  Rivers State with good governance  that was why he had to recourse to the purchase of Armoured Helicopters.

    “Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike  has no need for Armoured  helicopters because  he has provided the good people of Rivers State with good governance  and they are happy with him.

    “In any case, Rivers State is not at war with any country, hence  there is no need for armoured  helicopters.

    “Governor Wike  will continue  to  deliver  good governance to the  Rivers people.  This has led to the improvement  of  security, despite  the  evil political  machinations  of Amaechi and his cohorts.”

  • Dangote, Amaechi, Folawiyo, others celebrate Jumoke Okoya-Thomas

    Like the evergreen plant which remains fresh as the seasons come and go, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas is as good-looking and bubbly as ever. The revered politician is one of the most formidable women in the country; an icon of the ‘can do’ spirit that has propelled her to success in a male-dominated field.

    The daughter of the late industrialist and CFAO boss, Alexander Molade Okoya-Thomas, recently celebrated her 60th birthday and the high society was out in full force to honour one of their own. The event, which took place on Friday January 20, was a spectacular affair full of vim and colour. Spotting local outfits of varying designs, Jumoke’s family, friends and well-wishers converged on the Oriental Hotel, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, venue in droves to felicitate with her.

    The three-term former member of the House of Representatives was all smiles at the event as she greeted guests. Although she is currently not serving in any political position, her pedigree was still enough to attract the who is who among the social and political elites, including the Minister of Transport, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; former Ogun State governor, Olusegun Osoba; the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Bolanle Ambode.

    Chief Razaq Okoya and his wife, Shade, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Oba Otudeko, Mrs. Daisy Danjuma, Mrs Haba Folawiyo and Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi were also on hand to lend colour to the event.

  • FG releases counterpart funding for Lagos-Ibadan rail project

    FG releases counterpart funding for Lagos-Ibadan rail project

    The Federal Government on Monday said it has released N72 billion as the full counterpart funding for the construction of Lagos-Ibadan modernization railway project.

    This was disclosed by the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, at the second Presidential Business Forum in Abuja.

    He said: “For the construction of Lagos-Ibadan railway, the Minister of Finance has been kind enough to release the counterpart funding in full.

    “I think in the history of Nigeria, this is first time that we are releasing counterpart funds in full so that there will be no delay since the Chinese loan appears to have been approved.”

    He also urged the National Assembly to approve the federal government’s request to obtain $30 billion foreign loans.

    According to him, the loan would speed up the development of the country.

     

  • Amaechi digging deep for change

    A cursory look at the changes recorded in Nigeria’s transportation sector last year , will leave any one in no doubt that the desired change Nigerians yearned for and promised by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is  becoming a reality.

    In the transportation sector, more and more developments are been achieved on almost a weekly basis through the collective effort of the Hon. Minister, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and his team. The feat recorded by the Minister and his team cannot be disputed. It is such that when one thinks about performance of political office holders, one thinks about the name Rotimi Amaechi.  Amaechi has become associated with performance and concrete achievements.

    Amaechi ensures that repositioning of the transportation sector is key pursuant to the task expected of him and bearing in mind that transportation plays a crucial role to the development of Nigeria society. Amaechi swiftly swung into action to addressing the challenges bedeviling the sector which in turn triggered concrete solutions to the benefit of all.

    Aside from the routine inspection of facilities, Amaechi had partnered with specialists in the transportation domain both local and foreign just to improve on the already dilapidated sector. Seminars and symposiums which brought together men and women from all walks of life were held, ideas were exchanged, issues were resolved and results achieved.

    Projects like the commissioning of Abuja-Kaduna rail way by the President, Muhammadu Buhari were feat achieved by Amaechi in 2016. The ongoing reconstruction work in some airports  like the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in Rivers state and others  across the Country kick started last year under Amaechi’s watch, and hopes are that by the end of 2017 our Airports would have attained international status for smooth operations.

    Government is also doing its best to ensure that the nation’s airports compete globally with developed and developing countries by ensuring a total radar coverage of the nation’s airspace as well as efficient and effective emergency rescue unit, and also imbibe a maintenance culture for all infrastructures in the public transportation sector.

    The change promised by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is at the door steps of Nigerians, particularly dividends ushered in by Amaechi’s Ministry.

    Amaechi is not taken for granted the fact that the office he occupies is a privilege, hence the need to prove his mettle. Under his watch the Ministry recorded the completion and flag off for commercial operations of the Abuja-Kaduna Standard Gauge Railway and Commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in July,2016, signing of Addendum 1 for the Coastal Railway Line; Lagos-Calabar with additional line from Benin City-Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha and Onitsha Bridge on 1st July,2016, signing of the commercial contract for the execution of Addendum No 3; Kano-Kaduna of the Lagos-Kano Railway Modernization Project on 31st September,2016 and completion of the Controller Pilot Data Link Communication(CPDLC) at Kano and Lagos for improved communication between the Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers.

    Other achievements are, completion of 5kw SOLAR DC System for NAVAIDS sites at Bida and Okitipupa enroute sites which lead to the elimination of power surges and power outages, signing of an MOU with Chinese Company, China Railways Construction Corporation (CRCC) for the completion of the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri(Aladja Jetty) Railway Line and the extension from Aladja-Warri town Port, Refinery and Industrial Park; and Itakpe-Kaura-Baro-Abuja with siding from Eganyi-Jakura.

    Installation of low level Windshear Alert System at Katsina Airport to enhance safety of Aircraft operations and retention/upgrade of NIMET ISO 900;2008 certification (ie) ICAO certification of quality meteorological services provision to airlines by NIMET and the Isuring of Inland Container Nigeria Limited(ICNL) Bonded Terminal, Kaduna earler recommended for upgrade by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) was upgraded to the status of a Dry Port thereby making it the first Inland Dry Port in the country.

    Again, the upgrade and  rehabilitation of Airport  Terminal building s  at Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri ,Enugu, ongoing construction of new International Terminal Building at Abuja,Lagos,Kano, Port Harcourt,Enugu as well as rehabilitation of Car Parks and service roads at Ibadan,Akure,Lagos,Illorin,Benin,Owerri,Enugu,Yola,Kano,Kastina and Sokoto Airports are visible projects engineered by the Amaechi’s leadership in the transportation sector.

    The developments of strategies to enhance patronage and efficient utilization of the Eastern Ports of Calabar,Onne, Warri, Koko and Port Harcourt is also an enviable to achievements to boast of.

    The ministry has also secured the Federal Executive Council approval for the development of Badagry Deep Sea Port in Lagos and Continuous monitoring of the implementation of International Ship Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Nigeria leading to significant improvement in the complaint levels of the ports facilities among others.

    For Amaechi, the change agenda must be pursued vigorously. The Kaduna-Abuja rail line among other things will impact on housing as the poor are able to live in their houses in Kaduna and come to work in Abuja.

    It will also impact on agriculture and the economy, as agriculture produce is conveyed from Kaduna to Abuja at much cheaper rates. Transportation is also provided for majority of Nigerians who reside between Kano and Abuja at a cheaper rate.

    When Kaduna/Abuja road is maintained it would last longer as heavy cargoes are now conveyed by rail. Aside all these, thumps up should be for Amaechi for partnering with the Chinese Government and the China Exim Bank for their financial support.

    Most importantly is the priority attached to transportation by President Muhammadu Buhari, and the CCECC for keeping faith and doing a good job.

    Amaechi is also not leaving any stone unturned in developing the sea ports in the coastal states with capacity to handle modern shipping activities and establishment of  Inland dry ports and usher in effective upgrade of the rail system with a view to restoring its lost relevance. This will make the sea ports more efficient and competitive, thus improving human capital development. Amaechi no doubt, represent hope of modern transportation in Nigeria.

    Nigerians and the rest of the world are already enjoying the dividends of change in Amaechi’s Ministry. Amaechi planned to work out modalities of creating a prominent role for Nigerian sea ports within the ECOWAS community, encourage private sector participation and promote the enabling legal frame work for private sector participation in several projects including air, road and port.

    Amaechi’s plan of developing the sea ports in coastal states with the capacity to handle modern shipping activities and establish inland dry ports will make the sea ports more efficient and competitive, thus improving human capital development.

    Already, steps are also been taken by government to ensure and encourage manpower training and retraining and maintenance capacity with a view to adopting other development measures.

    Needs had also been put in place to increase enlightenment and effective media policy in the sector to encourage feedback mechanism on how to manage interface with the public for attitudinal change with respect to traffic laws in the transportation sector.

    The ministry’s 2017 budget carefully considered speedily developing an integrated master plan that would dwell on all elements of transportation and things that would ensure implementation and sustainability of all the transport facilities to achieve set goals of the present administration.

    Amaechi had also signed contractual agreements with China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) on the Lagos-Calabar coastal rail way project. The first and second segments of the projects run through Calabar-Uyo-Aba-PH-Yenagoa-Otuoke-Ughelli-Warri-Sapele-Benin-Ore-Ijebu-Ode-Lagos, with a target of covering all the seaports along those routes in good time.

    The Kano-Kaduna segment of the Lagos-Kano rail modernization project was signed with (CCECC) the Chinese firm with a sum of $1.685 billion and the Calabar-Port Harcourt segment 1, extending to Onne deep sea port of the coastal rail project at the cost of $3.4 billion with the Chinese engineering firm.

    Amaechi spoke briefly during the contract signing, describing it as “symbolic”.  Amaechi is pursuing a virile and visionary transportation system that will stand the test of time. The expectation to complete all ongoing projects in the transportation sector is in top gear; this is an indication that he is determined to succeed in other to make Mr. President’s change mantra a reality.

    Amaechi utmost concern is to ensure continued safety of lives and property in the sector and leave Nigeria as one of the best country to reckon with in terms of modern, effective and efficient transportation. Amaechi is galvanizing his vision in the transportation sector, more importantly is the fact that his vision to manage public affairs in a way that changes are for the better by developing and using the human resources allocated to his Ministry in a manner that benefits the generality of the people.

    As we pray to God for a successful 2017 year, we hope that leaders in authority will follow the right path and do more justice to their areas of appointments.

    Nigerians are eagerly waiting to see the change promised by the present administration translate into good life in all ramifications.

    And for Amaechi, all over the world people do remember leaders who make indelible impacts in their lives especially in project delivery. Amaechi will certainly be remembered in the annals of history for his roles in bettering the Nigerian project; this may not be immediate but certainly in time to come.

     

  • Rivers rerun: PDP accuses Amaechi of manhandling members, INEC officials

    Rivers rerun: PDP accuses Amaechi of manhandling members, INEC officials

    •APC: minister didn’t order molestation

    The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi of ordering men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to beat up its members and a senior officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the December 10 legislative rerun.
    The party said the head of a senior official of INEC was broken by SARS men.
    PDP’s Publicity Secretary Samuel Nwanosike addressed reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on what transpired during the rerun.
    The PDP spokesman said he was manhandled and beaten up by SARS operatives.
    Nwanosike was reacting to a statement credited to the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, that Governor Nyesom Wike’s conduct was embarrassing the state.
    The party spokesman said Amaechi allegedly stormed the Ikwerre collation centre on the Election Day with about 800 soldiers and 1,000 policemen with heavy weapons.
    He said the minister allegedly ordered the security agents to beat up and chase away everybody at the collation centre, adding that he was beaten up with other PDP agents and some INEC officials.
    Nwanosike said: “On December 12, last year, Amaechi, in company of Emma Chindah, who was fingered by Peterside’s cousin of involvement in fake ballot paper printing and Akin Fakorede, stormed the collation centre after hijacking Ikwerre result the previous night with barrels of machine guns and armoured tanks.
    “Over 1,000 policemen and over 800 military officers stormed Ikwerre Local Government’s INEC office to scuttle a peaceful election. They harassed everybody, including myself. As the agent of Thompson Goerge Sekibo, I was manhandled, thoroughly beaten up and dragged out of INEC office.
    “The Returning Officer and Collation Officer and all party agents were beaten up in the presence of Amaechi.
    “The next day, they went round Port Harcourt and attacked many people. On December 12, they stole the Emohua result, which they failed to hijack from Ikwerre Local Government.”
    But All Progressives Congress (APC) State Publicity Secretary Chris Finebone said Amaechi did not visit any polling unit or collation centre on the Election Day except the one at Ubima, his ward.
    The APC spokesman said it was at Ubima the minister cast his vote.
    He wondered how Amaechi would have ordered the police to beat up somebody when he did visit any other polling unit except where he voted on December 10.
    Finebone said the dismissal of six police officers from the state police command was in order because they were found guilty of electoral misconduct.
    The APC spokesman added that PDP’s allegations against Amaechi were baseless.

  • Senate invites Amaechi, Fashola, others over Abuja airport

    Senate invites Amaechi, Fashola, others over Abuja airport

    THE Senate yesterday summoned the Minister of Transportation Chibuike Amaechi, Works, Power and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola and Minister of State for Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika over the Federal Government’s plan to shut down the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja for repairs of its runway.
    Others also invited to the meeting by the Senate Committee on Aviation within two days include Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Chief of Air Staff and the Managing Directors of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
    Those invited are required to meet with the committee to provide details on the planned closure as well as to explore other options, rather than a total closure of the airport.
    The invitation followed the adoption of a motion on “The planned closure of the Abuja Airport”, which was sponsored by Senator Hope Uzodinma (lmo West) and five others.
    Uzodinma, in his lead debate, prayed the Senate to note with concern the decision of FAAN to close the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for six weeks beginning from March 6.
    The lawmaker noted that he was informed that the essence of the said closure is to carry out repairs on the only runway at the airport, which is reported to be in a deplorable state.
    He expressed worry that a six-week outright closure of a major and the only airport in the nation’s Federal Capital could trigger untold hardships on international and local air travellers and consequently dent the nation’s image.
    He noted that a complete shut-down of the airport would impact negatively on international trade and related activities, with a multiplier effect that could exact further pressure on an already recessed national economy.
    Uzodinma said the diversion of Abuja bound flights to Kaduna will throw up logistics and security challenges, including endangering the lives and properties of international and local air travelers, who will be forced to travel by land from Kaduna to Abuja.
    He noted that he was satisfied that all the options have not been exhausted to avoid the shutdown of the airport, including the option of a technical package to allow skeletal air operations at the airport while most repair work on the runway is executed at night.
    The senator added that major repairs in the past have been carried out without closure of the airport. “One more major repair without closure will afford the government the needed time for the construction of a second run-way as a permanent solution,” he said.
    The government, he said, should be prevailed upon to explore other possible options that could avert the planned total closure of a strategic national airport as Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport with all its attendant consequences, including breach of international conventions and treaties.
    Uzodinma prayed that Senate to accordingly resolve to invite the Minister of Transportation, Minister of State, Aviation, Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Minister of FCT, the Chief of Air Staff and the Managing Director FAAN and NAMA to meet with the Senate and provide details on the planned closure as well as to explore other options that can avoid a total closure of the airport.
    The prayer was unanimously adopted.

  • Senate summons Amaechi, Fashola, Sirika over Abuja Airport

    Senate summons Amaechi, Fashola, Sirika over Abuja Airport

    The Senate on Tuesday summoned the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, his Works, Power and Housing counterpart, Babatunde Fashola and Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, over the Federal Government plan to shut down the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, for repairs of the runway.

    Also invited to meet the Senate committee on Aviation within two days are the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Chief of Air Staff and the Managing Directors Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

    The invitees are to meet with the committee to provide details on the planned closure as well as to explore other options that can avoid a total closure of the airport.

    The invitation followed the adoption of a motion on “the planned closure of the Abuja Airport,” sponsored by Senator Hope Uzodinma (lmo West) and five others.

    Senator Uzodinma in his lead debate urged the Senate to note with concern the decision of FAAN to close the Abuja Airport for six weeks beginning from March 6, 2017.

    The lawmaker noted that he was informed that the essence of the said closure is to carry out repairs on the only runway at the airport which is reported to be in a deplorable state:

    He expressed worry that a six weeks outright closure of a major and only airport in the nation’s capital could trigger untold hardships on international and local air travelers and consequently dent the nation’s image.

  • I didn’t order anyone’s arrest, says Amaechi

    I didn’t order anyone’s arrest, says Amaechi

    Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has denied responsibility for the alleged clampdown on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters and chieftains.
    The Minister’s spokesperson, David Iyofor, said, “We don’t know what you’re talking about. Amaechi is not the police neither does he work for the police nor any of the security agencies. Please find out from the police or any of the security agencies if they made any arrest. Kindly leave Amaechi out of this.”
    He was reacting to the claim by the chairman of Ikwerre LGA that attempts had been made to incarcerate him by security officials allegedly compromised by Mr. Amaechi.

  • Amaechi, Wike renew offensive as Rivers elects new lawmakers today

    Amaechi, Wike renew offensive as Rivers elects new lawmakers today

    The controversial legislative rerun in the 23 local government areas, spread across the three senatorial districts of Rivers State is clearly a supremacy battle between the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and his former Chief of Staff, Governor Nyesom Wike. Our Bureau Chief in Port Harcourt, BISI OLANIYI, in this preview analysis, writes that efforts are being made by the security agencies and other critical stakeholders to prevent a repeat of the killings, maiming, arson, thuggery, and violence witnessed during the 2015 general elections and the March 19 rerun, which led to the death of over 100 innocent persons and destruction of valuable properties.

    THE first salvo was fired by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in the afternoon of Tuesday, while campaigning for the candidates of his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas of the state. Wike, a former Minister of State for Education in the Goodluck Jonathan administration, lambasted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies, especially the police, for allegedly colluding with the leaders of the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig today’s rerun.

    He claimed that INEC refused to be transparent on the list of collation officers that would be used for the crucial elections, while calling on the Rivers electorate not to be bothered by the alleged plot involving the police, INEC and the APC to use state violence to intimidate voters and cart away election materials. The Rivers governor claimed that INEC was keeping the list of collation officers secret, so that it would use APC members for the strategic role, while urging INEC to release the list of collation officers for public scrutiny, to ensure transparency and accountability. He said: “INEC must make the list of collation officers public.

    We (PDP members) must remain vigilant. After voting, women should go home, while youths should remain to protect the votes from the polling units to the collation centres. The youths must wait until the results are announced and party agents are in possession of declared results. “Nobody should intimidate you with security agents. How many persons can they kill? How many people can they beat up? We must defend our votes. “On December 10, we shall drive Satan, the Lucifer and his devilish agents from Rivers State. These are the people who embezzled Rivers money and used the funds to sponsor national politics.

    December 10 is their day of reckoning. Satan will disappear from Rivers on Saturday (today). Why would someone hate his people so much that he teamed up with outsiders to cause them pain? I remain committed to peace.” Wike, a former elected Chairman of Obio/Akpor LG council of Rivers State, when Dr. Peter Odili was governor, also called on the international community to assist in stopping members of the APC from using security agencies and INEC to rig the rerun.

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, while speaking with reporters in the night of the same day at the Port Harcourt International Airport, on arrival from Abuja to prepare for APC’s mega rally of Thursday at the Yakubu Gowon (formerly Liberation) Stadium, Elekahia, in the state capital and today’s polls, gave the Rivers governor more than what he bargained for, by accusing him (Wike) of being behind the killings in the state.

    He urged APC members and the teeming supporters of the party in Rivers to massively vote for all the candidates of the APC, without fear of attack or molestation, Amaechi, an ex-Rivers governor, asked people of the state to ignore the threats from Wike, his thugs and criminals, stressing that President Muhammadu Buhari had assured of a level playing field, adding that the security agencies were equal to the task of ensuring the safety of lives and property, thereby guaranteeing free, fair, credible and peaceful elections today.

    He declared that his successor (Wike) could not deny his alleged involvement and sponsorship of the killing of innocent Rivers people and stalwarts of the APC during the 2015 general elections and the March 19 rerun in the state. Amaechi, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said: “If Wike and the PDP have justifiable evidence, let them present it to the public and stop blackmailing me or INEC and police. The allegation is immaterial, null and void. “Wike sponsored the persons who carried arms during the 2015 general elections. Even during the campaigns, our (APC) people were beaten, manhandled and others threatened, leaving many dead, but we will not continue to allow these things to happen like that.

    “I urge Rivers people to disabuse their minds against comments by the PDP and Wike, which are calculated to rubbish me in the eyes of the right-thinking people, in order to score cheap popularity and further whip up public sentiments to heat up the polity. “Before now, l used to tell my party members to vote and protect their votes, but there have been complaints of indecent attacks from the PDP. So, l have asked the APC members to protect their votes and their lives as well, because the PDP cannot be bigger than everybody.”

    The transportation minister also expressed displeasure on what he described as “irresponsible comments” by the Rivers governor, maintaining that on many occasions, Wike had abused the office and privileges of the governor, especially his sudden interception of security operatives who were detailed by law to arrest corrupt judges in some states across the country.

    Wike’s ally, Samuel Nwanosike, who is also the Rivers Publicity Secretary of the PDP, however, described Amaechi’s allegations against the Rivers governor as false. Nwanosike said: “Amaechi cannot turn round to say that Wike and PDP are behind the killings in Rivers State, when we are aware of the actions of APC members in the events that occurred during the last elections in the state. “Remember the killing of Barr. Ken Atsuwete (45, a Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, who was one of the courageous lawyers to APC chieftain, Hon. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, but murdered in Port Harcourt on August 29, 2016 and buried on November 19 at his Koko hometown in Warri North LGA of Delta State), the same Amaechi and APC members accused the PDP of being behind the killing, but the killers, who were later arrested by the police, confessed that they kidnapped Atsuwete.”

    The Rivers publicity secretary of the PDP also claimed that for eight years as governor, the transportation minister was unable to positively impact on the lives of the people of the state, making the wiser people to now be backing Wike and the PDP in Rivers, while calling on President Buhari to allow the Rivers rerun to count. While also speaking, the Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George, described Amaechi’s allegation that Wike was behind the killings in Rivers State as a sewage of lies. He insisted that the Rivers governor and members of the PDP in the state did not need arms to defeat the APC in Rivers, claiming that Wike’s impressive record of service delivery had won the hearts of people of the state.

    Tam-George alleged that APC members in Rivers were suffocating under the weight of Amaechi’s disastrous legacy as governor of the state for eight years. Rivers information commissioner said: “Amaechi was indicted by a court-approved Judicial Panel of Inquiry for stealing public funds. While the APC-led Federal Government may have granted Amaechi unofficial amnesty, the Rivers people have a long memory, and would continue to reject Amaechi and the APC in Rivers State. Amaechi’s attempt to steal the mandate of the people on Saturday, through the force of arms, would be resisted and defeated once again.”

    The transportation minister, however, stated that he was never indicted by Wike’s “kangaroo” judicial panel of inquiry, while challenging the directorgeneral of his 2011 re-election campaign organisation (Wike) and his drowning allies to provide evidence to buttress the allegation of corruption they levelled against him. Amaechi said: “As Rivers governor, l overhauled the health and education sectors by promoting free health care and free education. Over 130,000 teachers were employed, including the building of critical infrastructure, roads and youth empowerment, making Rivers people and other Nigerians to experience change.”

    In an attempt to conclude the March 19 this year’s legislative rerun in Rivers State, INEC fixed July 30, but was still postponed till October, because the electoral commission’s office in Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoniland and the seat of Khana LGA of the state, was set ablaze by unknown persons on July 22. INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Aniedi Ikoiwak, who assured that the rerun would be free, fair, credible and peaceful, disclosed that the elections would hold in 1,840 polling units in the 23 LGAs, spread across the three senatorial districts of the state.

    Ikoiwak stated that the bulk of the voting today would be in seven LGAs of Andoni, Akuku-Toru, Bonny, Etche, Ikwerre, Khana and Gokana, while giving assurance that he and other officials of INEC would not take sides. INEC planned to conduct elections in some units and wards of Tai-Ogoni LGA, which witnessed inconclusive polls on March 19, before the December 6 judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, presided over by Justice Mohammed Liman, which Rivers APC’s Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, said only corroborated INEC’s earlier position. The rerun will be to elect three senators, eight members of the House of Representatives and nine (not ten) members of Rivers House of Assembly, excluding Degema constituency, being occupied by an ex-militant leader, Farah Dagogo, based on favourable judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja late last week.

    The only elected APC lawmaker in the Rivers House of Assembly, Victoria Nyeche, of Port Harcourt constituency one, is yet to be inaugurated, in spite of a court order, based on Rivers governor’s directive to the leadership of the Assembly. Since his May 29 last year’s inauguration, Wike is yet to allow local government election in Rivers State, with all the 23 LG caretaker chairmen and members belonging to the PDP and they will want to deliver their areas to the PDP.

    The governorship candidate of APC during last year’s election in the state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, expressed optimism that the better and more acceptable candidates of his party would emerge victorious today. Peterside, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), stated that the security agencies would not allow rigging and violence by PDP members. Rivers Chairman of the PDP, Chief Felix Obuah, however, assured that with Wike’s impressive performance in less than two years in office and the party’s candidates, leaders and members’ vigorous campaigns, there would be landslide victories for his party.

    The Rivers Commissioner of Police, Francis Odesanya, also assured of safety of lives and property of the people of the state before, during and after the rerun. Odesanya noted that total restriction of movement of persons and vehicles started from 12 midnight yesterday (Friday) and would continue till 8 p.m. today, both on land and waterways.

    The National Secretary of the APC, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, alerted security agencies on massive arms’ build-up by the Wikeled administration in the leadup to the rerun in Rivers. Buni described the alarm by the Rivers governor on the plot to assassinate him as a hoax, meant to deflect attention from the report of arms’ build-up and other sinister plots the Wike-led PDP government planned to execute today, declaring that PDP would lose the elections, once security was tightened in the state. Wike, however, described APC’s national secretary’s accusation as irresponsible, insisting that the party was erected on a sewage of propaganda and deception.