Tag: Amaechi

Since former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s name appeared on President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial list, detractors have turned the heat on him. Although many Nigerians have hailed his nomination, stakeholders in his state have received it with mixed feelings. His nomination was pre-empted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government, which set up a Commission of Inquiry to probe his tenure. The panel has been trailed by  controversy.  A section of the PDP believes that the investigation was necessary to foster accountability. But, many indigenes disagreed, saying that  the probe was designed by Governor Nyesome Wike to humiliate his former boss because he collaborated with progressives in other geo-political zones to abort the second term ambition of former President Goodluck Jonathan. As predicted by many observers, the panel indicted Amaechi. But, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed it as a grand conspiracy to abort the former governor’s ministerial ambition. Amaechi, who was not screened along with other nominees last week, has a date with history at the Senate this week. Will he overcome the hurdle? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the politics of screening, which has polarised the Senate.

When  the history of this dispensation is written, the name of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi will appear in gold. Many believe that he took a risk by collaborating with progressives in other geo-political zones to midwife the new dawn. Ironically, detractors are bent on denying him his rightful place in the Buhari Administration. Since he was nominated for minister, foes at the home front have intensified their campaign of calumny and propaganda against him. The Rivers State All Progressives Congress  (APC) has alleged that there is a grand design to dent Amaechi’s image, thereby conveying the impression that the former governor is unfit for the national assignment.

Political success has not come easy for Amaechi. In 2007, he was not permitted to witness the election that brought him to power. He fought the battle to the Supreme Court before his mandate was restored. He fought a coalition of foes to a standstill before he could get a second term mandate. When Commissioner of Police was terrorising him, Amaechi, the former chief security officer of Rivers State, was powerless. Also, he fought a hard battle against impeachment. In all these battles, Amaechi relied on the support of the people for strength and survival.

Elder statesman Chief Richard Akinjide, who reflected on Amaechi’s ordeals in a television interview, observed that he made the list because President Muhammadu Buhari saw some good qualities in him. The eminent politician did not, however, objected to the investigation of the ministerial nominee. Noting that those against his nomination are from his home state, he said it is up to the President to insist on his nomination or drop him, based on personal conviction. “Those against Amaechi are from the home front. If he is not good, the President would not have nominated him. After concluding the investigation against him, the President will decide whether to appoint him as minister or not,” he said.

In the last three years, Amaechi has been having a running battle with the PDP. He and former President Goodluck Jonathan had parted ways, following irreconcilable difference. At a public function, Amaechi and Dr. Jonathan’s wife, Dame Patience, also clashed. Also, Amaechi and his successor, Wike, did not see eye to eye. Irked by the disposition of the PDP to the protracted crisis, the former governor called it quits with the party. Then, hell was let lose in Rivers. The governorship election became a big battle. Up to now, the exercise is inconclusive as the battle shifted from the ballot box to the court.

Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the general elections, many Nigerians expected Amaechi’s name to be on the list of ministerial nominees. The Commander-In-Chief did not disappoint them. However, report of the Commission of Inquiry set up by Wike to probe his administration, which indicted him, has created a fresh hurdle for the APC chieftain. When Amaechi appeared before the Senate Ad Hoc Committee, he refused to comment on the report, saying that it is a subject of litigation in court. Thus, while other heroes and soldiers of democracy-Chief Audu Ogbeh, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Dr. Chris Ngige, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and Alhaji Lai Mohammed-were screened, Amaechi’s screening was postponed.

Amaechi’s probe has generated controversy. Wike said his predecessor should shed light on the finances of the state between May 2007 and May 2015 when he was in charge. Hailing the probe, the PDP said it is necessary for accountability. But, many indigenes disagreed, saying that the governor is full of vendetta. They point out that,  a credibility crisis is being orchestrated by the PDP to discourage President Buhari from nominating Amaechi. When that plot failed, according to observers, the report which indicted him, has become another tool of blackmail to pull him down.

The Rivers believes that Wike is afraid of Amaechi’s popularity and influence. Now that there is the likelihood of exchanging roles, if Amaechi becomes minister, there is the fear of re-enactment of previous acrimony which characterised the governor/minister relations. Dismissing the probe as a ruse, APC Chairman Davies Ikanya said it is ironical that Wike, who rode to power on the back of a falwed election, raised a panel to investigate his predecessor. “These retrogressive forces, led by Governor Nyesom Wike, are so afraid of the shadow of Amaechi to the extent that they are willing to go to any length to ensure that he is not accommodated in President Buhari’s cabinet, said APC Chairman, Davies Ikanya.”

The Amaechi/Wike rift marked a turning point in the politics of Rivers. Before the crisis, they  were allies. Wike, a lawyer, was Amaechi’s Chief of Staff and the Coordinator of the Amaechi Campaign Organisation. But, ahead of the last elections, they worked at cross purposes. As Amaechi left for the APC, Wike became the arrowhead of the PDP. Amaechi worked for President Buhari’s success at the poll. He was also the pillar of support for Wike’s rival at the poll, Dr. Dakuku Peterside. The post-election litigation has deepened the crisis between the two leading figures. During the campaigns, Wike had threatened to probe Amaechi. When he was sworn in, he swung into action. He said the forensic audit is consistent with the anti-corruption crusade of the APC-led Federal Government.

Reacting to the setting up of the panel headed by Justice George Oremeji, the former governor said it was not set up in good faith, adding that he was being witch-hunted. “All the noise Wike is making is to garb media headlines with his lies of monumental corruption against Amaechi. It is all drama made for the media. What is playing out is a script written and directed by Nyesom Wike. Wike should move to Nollywod where his devious skills would probably be useful. While it is no longer in doubt what would be the report of Wike’s sham probe commission, what may shock Nigerians is the extent Wike has gone and is ready to go to manufacture stories of corrupt practices and the kind of bogus tales of corruption against Amaechi that he would soon be feeding the nation,” he added.

Efforts by Amaechi to stop the probe failed. A High Court Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, said the panel was set up, not to investigate the former governor in person, but his defunct administration. However,  former Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Worgu Boms described the probe as a comedy of errors. He accused Wike of bias and prejudice, stressing that members of the “ill-conceived and ill-motivated” panel have their bias towards the former governor. Also, former Information Commissioner Mrs. Ibim Seminitari described the probe as an unnecessary diversion from subsisting electoral issues. Besides, she said the people of Rivers will always hold Amaechi in high esteem because his achievements are visible in all sectors.

In Amaechi’s view, Wike is playing a game of survival. He told reporters that the governor set up the panel to create more crisis so that Rivers political leaders can broker reconciliation between the two of them. He said, since Wike knew that he got to the State House through fraudulent election, he decided to witch-hunt him so that he can yield to pressure to withdraw the suit against his victory.  Amaechi said that the APC and its candidate, Dakuku Peterside,  will now bow to pressure to abandon the case.

Amaechi also explained his refusal to appear before the panel. He said the panel was illegal. Explaining why he has refused to appear before the panel, he added: “He has not complied with the law in setting up the panel. The rule of natural justice and fair hearing is not adhered to. You sit down and you tell a man, ‘go and find him guilty openly. He is guilty; go and investigate him.”

Amaechi denied the allegations of corruption. He urged Wike to examine himself before throwing stones. “The funny thing about the young man is that he knows that I know him. I know Nyesom Wike up to his companies.; Zico, Easy E. I was his governor and I have documents to show that he is a contractor. I have Wike’s account details. But, you don’t reply him by saying, you see, you are a thief, see what you stole. It will appear like I am a thief, but you are also a thief. So, what you do is to say no, I am not a thief and I don’t know what this man is talking about.

“Rivers people forget so easily, and I annoys me. During the campaign,  I named the roads that Nyesom Wike did and abandoned. He is reconstructing some of them after we have paid him and no Rivers man is talking or asking, except the young boys who are replying him on the social media.”

Amaechi is a veteran political warrior. He has insisted that the Senate cannot stop his screening, unless the court found him guilty.

This week, Amaechi will appear in the Senate for screening. The forces against him are formidable. Will he triumph?