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Tag: Amaechi

  • Amaechi, Rivers PDP clash again over Wike’s LG

    Amaechi, Rivers PDP clash again over Wike’s LG

    The political crisis in Rivers State raged on yesterday after Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the PDP in the state launched a fresh battle over the fate of the suspended Obio/Akpor Local Government Council.

    The governor accused the Felix Obuah-led PDP of attempting to drag the state judiciary into politics after the party claimed that the governor was mobilising judicial workers to embark on strike from Monday, and that its declaration of public holidays to mark the centenary celebration of the state capital, Port Harcourt, was to forestall judgement by Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra of the State High Court in a suit seeking the reversal of the suspension of the council by the State House of Assembly.

    The state government has approached the Court of Appeal for a stay of action on the suit.

    Governor Amaechi, speaking in a radio interview in Port Harcourt, wondered how the PDP knew that the judgment would favour it.

    He said: “I am not aware there will be strike by judiciary workers over the Obio/Akpor judgment. I do not have any notice of strike for them to go on strike.They must serve government notice.

    He insisted that the weeklong public holidays were for the Port Harcourt Centenary Celebration, and not to prevent judgment in the Obio/Akpor suit, filed by Mr.Timothy Nsirim the suspended Chairman of the local government and the councillors.

    He also warned that a parallel government by a mere political group was an invitation to anarchy, stressing that there is only one governor in Rivers state.

    He added: “To import this lawlessness into the Obio/Akpor suit before the Hon. Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra as the Felix Obuah group is hinting will be most unfortunate, as it will become proof that anarchy has been successfully introduced into the judicial system.”

    His position was shared by the state Attorney-General and Commisioner for Justice, Mr.Worgu Boms,who in a statement yesterday, said: “Since politics is the only means of livelihood for many, it is imperative that that means be preserved as too much lawlessness in the course of politicking has the assured potential of annihilating the system and thus throwing many of its practitioners into unemployment and penury.”

    Mr.Felix Obuah, the state Chairman of the PDP, had alleged that the one-week “unsolicited” public holidays and the planned strike by Rivers judiciary workers were to prevent Iyayi-Lamikanra from delivering judgment on the suit.

    He claimed that since Amaechi failed to get a stay of execution order at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt, he felt the only way he could succeed to further pervert the course of justice was to incite the judiciary workers to disrupt the courts from sitting next week.

  • Amaechi fetes Nollywood award nominees

    Amaechi fetes Nollywood award nominees

    GOVERNMENT House, Port Harcourt, turned out to be a celebrity ‘hang-out’ for movie stars last Sunday, as Governor Rotimi Amaechi hosted thespians, who have been nominated in different categories in the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, to a dinner.

    The pre-event party provided a platform for actors and filmmakers to interact freely with the governor, who at some point took to the dance floor. With Basoene Kelsey Tariah Jnr, popularly known as Basorge as master of ceremonies, the actor brought his expertise to bear, directing the trajectory of performances and light remarks.

    Home boy Duncan Mighty rendered songs from his hits, while comedian Bash complemented the jokes provided by Tariah.

    Among the popular Nollywood actors at the event were Segun Arinze, Fathia Balogun, Muyiwa Ademola, Mary Uranta, Biodun Okeowo, Adaora Ukoh, John Okafor, Foluke Daramola , Yomi Fash-Lanso, Doris Simeon, Ronke Oshodi-Oke and Eniola Badmus.

    BON Award, which enters its fifth edition this year, has been scheduled to hold in Asaba, Delta State on November 30.

    The governor, who congratulated the nominees, urged the artistes to put more professional touch into their movies as a way of ensuring a responsible film industry.

    Amaechi noted that the event was not a night of long speeches, describing the Nigerian film industry as a mirror portraying the society in a responsible way.

    Putting the governor’s speech in perspective, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Dr Nnabuihe Imegwu noted that “overseas, it is an export commodity and the world sees us through most of the movies we shoot and send out.

    “The film industry should, therefore, be responsible in representing the country and we should always support it.’’

    The organiser of the awards, Mr Seun Oloketuyi, who noted that the initiative has been on for five years, said the award seeks to uplift the industry and encourage professionalism.

    While calling for more government support for the Nigerian film industry, Oloketuyi praised governor Amaechi for his encouragement.

    “This nominees’ dinner is a worthy initiative that would not have happened if Governor Amaechi does not believe in Nollywood. And Nollywood would never forget all that you are doing behind the scenes to ensure that this industry gets bigger and better.” He said.

  • Amaechi raises the alarm over ‘missing $5billion Excess Crude fund’

    Amaechi raises the alarm over ‘missing $5billion Excess Crude fund’

    • Governors Forum demands transparency in NNPC finances

    •Jonathan shuns meeting with state chief executives

    • Okonjo-Iweala accused of stopping $200m ADB loan for Rivers

    Who and what could have made $5billion disappear from the nation’s Excess Crude Account (ECA)?

    This was the challenge the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Rotimi Amaechi, threw at the anti-graft agencies yesterday in Sokoto.

    He spoke while declaring the second annual retreat of the state chief executives open.

    The River State governor said the Excess Crude Account stood at $9billion last January only to shrink to only $4billion today.

    “That account belongs to Federal, States and Local Governments. Today it is $4billion. We don’t know who took $5billion,” he said.

    President Goodluck Jonathan, who was billed to deliver the key note address at the retreat, was absent.

    He did not send any representative.

    Also absent were members of the Jang -led faction of the forum, which enjoys the backing of the Presidency.

    Amaechi said it was convenient for the anti-graft agencies to look the other way now on the matter because of the apparent involvement of the Federal Government whereas the same agencies, according to him, would have waded in if any of the state or local governments were involved in a similar financial irregularity.

    He said the agencies are being used for political vendetta against opponents of the federal authorities.

    His words: “Today the EFCC is either in Jigawa or in Kano because they disagree with the President. What about NNPC? What about the Ministry of Niger Delta and the Ministry of Works?

    “The whole governors put together we receive 26 per cent from the revenue of the Federation. The Federal Government gets 52 per cent. And with that 52 per cent, nobody goes after the Federal Government to say ‘how did you spend it’?

    “And then you go after those who got 26 per cent. Even if you recover all the 26 per cent, what have you benefitted from it as against those who have stolen 52 per cent?”

    He asked the followership to begin to demand accountability from the leadership otherwise entrenching democracy in the country would remain a mirage.

    Lamenting the lack of effective leadership in the country, he said: “”The only thing that fascinates me is the definition of legacy projects. Because if I were to be the President, I would want to leave a legacy of free and fair elections.

    “But nobody in government or outside government sees that as a legacy. Those are the intangibles that can make for good governance. Nobody believes that governance is not the structures that have broken down.

    “Nobody knows that Nigeria is as chaotic as it is because there are no organizations; we have no rules. What I mean is not laws by the National Assembly – the standard by which you measure the expectation of the people you govern.

    “There is a friend of mine who went to see the Inspector General of Police and then he got there and saw a DIG and then the DIG said ‘you are also here, are you not Governor Amaechi’s friend who is against our government?’

    “This means from day one, the police is on the other side. And the police is the Nigeria police. It is not PDP police.”

    He also spoke on his ordeals in the hands of the Federal Government arising from his disagreement with the Presidency.

    He accused the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala of refusing to approve a $200million loan meant to provide water for the people of Rivers State because of his disagreement with the President.

    He said that other agents/agencies of the Federal Government have stalled development in his state for the same reason.

    The governor said: “The African Development Bank (ADB) met with the Rivers State Government. We agreed on the loan and they signed off every document. All the requirements have been met to give us $200million as loan for water in River State.

    “We travelled and concluded every arrangement but the Minister of Finance, who by international standard is recognised in the world, has refused to sign off for us to provide water for Rivers people.

    “Meanwhile, I ,the Governor, I drink bottled water paid for by Rivers people and then she has refused to sign off for the money to be released so that we can give our people water because Governor Amaechi is against the President.

    “So it is like two women quarrelling and keeping malice with you. So they are keeping malice with me now and my people should die because I disagreed with the President.”

    Amaechi said Nigeria is facing lot of challenges, which can only be addressed if the leaders make conscious efforts to do the right thing.

    The Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto, Dr Matthew Kukah, in his presentation entitled: “Good governance and the imperative for managing and leaving a sustainable legacy” charged the governors to leave legacies for which they will be remembered by the people.

    He decried a situation where governors receive awards from everywhere without concrete development in their states.

    On the role of education in good governance, the clergyman said the nation cannot move forward without ensuring that every child is given quality education.

    Kuka said: “It is impossible for us to move in any direction at all without seriously, honestly and sincerely committing ourselves to the fact that we have a commitment that no single child in Nigeria be left behind in terms of education.

    “I’m hearing from the Ministry of Education, all kinds of agencies, the Universal Basic Education that there are hundreds of billions of Naira locked up.

    “States cannot access the money simply because they have not been able to come up with counterpart funding.

    “The truth is that we have not made up our mind about education because I don’t know whether we are not running contrary by having a school where the children attending the Almajiri schools are already stigmatised.

    “How many really serious members of the Nigerian elite will send their children to these schools? And am I going to graduate one day with a PhD from Almajiri school and I want to be a professor in this country?

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who spoke on the “Role of states in deepening democracy and good governance in Nigeria” lamented that the military terminated the country’s parliamentary system of government that was suitable for Nigeria and replaced it with the presidential system which in essence is a unitary system of government.

    Tambuwal faulted the unwieldy powers vested on the Federal Government by the Constitution which “has also made it possible for the Federal Government to control the police making it almost impossible for states to have a significant role to play in crime prevention and law enforcement.

    “When you see the way things are going in Nigeria, you come to the conclusion that it is not possible for us to practise presidential system of government the way it is done in the United States from where we copied our federation.

    “Another manifestation of the unitary system is the concentration of resource allocation on the federal government leaving states as if they were beggars.”

    He added that the State Assemblies have failed the people by not being able to exercise due oversight on the state executives.

    In a communiqué at the end of the retreat, the NGF insisted on transparency in the operations of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and urged Nigerians to stop being docile in the face of monumental impunity in the country.

    The governors stressed the need for “intangible aspects of good governance anchored on a framework of ethics, values and political morality to drive development and leave a durable legacy of democratic governance.”

  • ‘Stop using Amaechi’s name to seek recognition in Presidency’

    ‘Stop using Amaechi’s name to seek recognition in Presidency’

    A Group, Save Rivers Group Movement, yesterday cautioned anti-Governor Rotimi Amaechi groups in and outside the state to stop using the governor’s name to gain appointment and recognition from the Presidency.

    It said because of the 2015 elections, people were using Niger Delta sentiment to stoke the fire of blind nationalism, using the name of Governor Amaechi to get closer to the Presidency.

    Speaking yesterday in Port Harcourt, Chairman of the group Aholu Okechukwu said: “Rivers people are disappointed over the behaviour of certain politicians, who now capitalise on the political crisis rocking the state to undermine Governor Amaechi at the Presidency.”

    He said anti-Amaechi campaigners are lying by saying that any Niger Delta man, who does not support President Goodluck Jonathon in his 2015 bid, was anti-Niger Delta and does not support the development of the region.

    Okechukwu said: “We are disappointed that some politicians are now using the name of Governor Amaechi as a sacrificial lamb to curry favour from President Jonathan.

    “Worse still is the despicable gimmick of playing up the Niger Delta sentiment in relation to Jonathan’s 2015 ambition by greedy politicians in the Niger Delta, who pretend to be speaking for the ordinary Niger Delta man.

    “All we are saying is that the groups are being used by anti-Amaechi politicians to tarnish the governor’s reputation.”

  • IBB, Amaechi at Babangida Aliyu’s Int’l literary colloquium

  • Monarchs pledge loyalty to Amaechi

    Monarchs pledge loyalty to Amaechi

    Traditional rulers in four clans constituting the Ogba ethnic nationality in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State have pledged their loyalty to Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and have dissociated themselves from recent publications, especially in The Nation of October 31, headlined: “Stop this madness on the Oba, Omoku Council of Traditional rulers and Chiefs, warns Governor Rotimi Amaechi”.

    The monarchs of the four kingdoms, which include Omoku, Egi, Usomini and Igburu clans, condemned the statements contained in the publications and also decried the antics of the faceless persons, who claimed to be “Omoku Council of Chiefs”.

    Reacting to the comments, the Eze Ali Agburu 1 of Ogba Land, Chief George Nwoko, hailed Governor Amaechi for fighting militants and kidnap kingpins, who sought solace in Ogba land and turned it into a jungle of desperadoes and human hunters, who threatened peace and security.

    He said in any civilised society and established democratic setting, it was wrong for traditional rulers, known as custodians of the people’s culture and tradition, to steer clear of politics.

    Nwoko thanked the governor for including Ogba land in his infrastructural development agenda in the education, health, power and other sectors.

    The Eze Ohali, Eze Ogba-Buruzorchi of Ogba land, Eze Chamberline Moses Igwe, said his subjects would remain grateful to Governor Amaechi for effecting changes that Rivers people could see. He said there was hope of a brighter future for youths in the state.

    “There are many ways one can thank somebody like Governor Amaechi, who has done well in Rivers State. He is known for transparency. It is during his tenure that Rivers people know that we can build model primary and secondary schools and health care centres, which offer free services to the people. “

  • Amaechi leads crowds in 4km walk for APC chiefs

    Amaechi leads crowds in 4km walk for APC chiefs

    -Police teargas fans

    -Buhari, Akande, Tinubu, Oyegun, others in Rivers

    -APC ‘ll sanitise Nigeria, says Aliyu

     

    All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders stormed Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday to persuade Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi to join the battle for a better Nigeria.

    But the colourful visit was not without some initial obstacles. Policemen, on the orders of Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu, barred Amaechi’s teeming supporters from the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa where they headed to welcome the visiting APC leaders.

    The main gate on the Port Harcourt-Owerri Expressway was locked against the sea of admirers of Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF). But the people were undeterred. They started singing, drumming and dancing as from 6 am, not minding the teargas canisters fired at them by the policemen.

    Amaechi flew in from Lagos yesterday morning to receive a former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, APC Interim Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, party leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and many others.

    After landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport, the NGF chairman was on his way to the Government House, Port Harcourt to freshen up and get ready to receive the visitors.

    On getting to the airport’s main gate in a convoy at 9:20 am, Amaechi noticed that some policemen did not allow his supporters in.

    The governor spoke with the senior police officers at the main gate, but they were adamant. Amaechi made a detour and asked all the people at the gate to move in.

    Rather than heading for the Government House, Amaechi decided to join his supporters, trekking the four kilometres back to the airport.

    But, it was an exciting walk.

    The supporters were saying: “No intimidation”; “Mbu must go”; “We are for Amaechi”; “Amaechi is our man”; “Amaechi is doing well”; “We are solidly behind our performing and focused governor”; and “Let us avoid sentiments”, among others.

    Later in an interview with reporters at the VIP Lounge, the NGF chairman said the police had become the military wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The aircraft, marked ZS-ZOT, painted white with yellow and blue stripes, which conveyed from Abuja, Buhari; Tinubu; Akande; a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari; Chief Tom Ikimi; a former Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; and some leaders of the APC, landed at 10:53 am.

    A long convoy of vehicles departed the airport at 10:57 am, with the governor’s jubilant supporters lining both sides of the road from the airport to the junction.

    It was an opportunity for Amaechi to show the dignitaries some of his administration’s projects.

    The convoy headed for the Model Primary School at Elekahia, Port Harcourt. The visitors saw also the nearby Model Health Centre, before heading for the Government House, Port Harcourt where a huge crowd had gathered.

    The main gate of the seat of power was unusually left open, for the carnival-like reception near the Presidential Lodge in the Government House. A long queue of Amaechi’s supporters, who were trying to enter the seat of power, remained at the gate.

    Amaechi said at the airport: “I flew in and wanted to go and change (dresses) to receive my visitors. I got to the gate (of the airport) and I was told that the policemen did not allow my supporters into the airport. I said an ordinary minister of state, who was my chief of staff (Chief Nyesom Wike), would gather people at Eleme (Rivers State on Sunday) with police protection, while a former head of state, with some governors arriving and police will not allow the people in; what type of country is that?

    “Somebody said the police had become the military wing of the PDP. That is not the only truth. The other truth is that we are running a military government. I led the people. I had to march them into the airport. That’s how we got here (VIP Lounge). I trekked from the gate to this place (VIP Lounge).

    “For any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State, police should be held accountable. If they had allowed the people to come in, they would have been orderly. They were here (at the airport) for the purpose of receiving the guests.

    “The last time we were here (airport) to receive the President (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan), Nyesom Wike and his group mobilised people that booed me. If we had mobilised people, there would have been crisis.

    “I quietly walked in; let them boo me and I went to receive the President. By the same way they were allowed to get to the airport, blocked all the roads, and in the same way, they should have allowed the people to come in to receive the guests. Buhari is a former President. Bola Tinubu is a former governor and there are other governors that are coming.”

    After the inspection of projects at Elekahia, Gen. Buhari said: “What I have seen, though briefly, is what you can give to the people – education. They will look after themselves and will also be able to look after their country. I am extremely impressed by what Governor Amaechi is doing.”

    Tinubu said: “Fantastic (projects). Putting people at the cornerstone of his (Amaechi’s) developmental policy is what the goal of democratic government and good governance is all about. It is demonstrated clearly here. It is very impressive.

    “The MDG goal, the primary education, the primary health and the staffing. Preparing the children for the challenges of the future. There is nothing in good governance, but that.”

    Members of the National and Rivers Assemblies, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, George Feyii, commissioners, local government chairmen and other eminent personalities were also at the airport to receive the APC leaders.

    Thousands of supporters of the Rivers governor, who also thronged the airport on Monday to welcome the visiting leaders of the APC, were barred by policemen from the facility. They stayed at the junction from 7 am till evening, but the visitors did not come.

    The President’s wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, was expected to leave Port Harcourt for Abuja at 11:30 am on Monday. The APC leaders were to fly in from Abuja around 2 pm, but the First Lady did not leave until the evening. The APC leaders’ visit was postponed till yesterday.

    The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Chief Felix Obuah said the open confession and resolve of Governor Chibuike Amaechi and his lawmaker supporters yesterday is an eloquent testimony that they had long defected from the PDP.

    A statement signed by Jerry Needam, Special Adviser on Media to the State Chairman noted that the demand on Amaechi by the suspended lawmakers loyal to him and led by Otelemaba Dan Amachree for an immediate declaration for the APC is a mere camouflage to hoodwink Rivers people into believing they are being wooed to join the party.

    “We urge the police commissioner and all the security agencies in the state and the country at large to keep a tap on Governor Amaechi and his cohorts to ensure nobody is taken awares as he is plotting”, the statement said.

  • Amaechi: l’ll consult Jonathan, others before joining APC

    Amaechi: l’ll consult Jonathan, others before joining APC

    Rivers State Governor Mr. Rotimi Amaechi was in his element yesterday as he received the visiting All Progressive Congress (APC) leadership that came to woo him to join the party’s crusade for a better Nigeria.

    Leading the crowd in singing gospel songs and dancing, Amaechi said he would decide where to go after wide consultations.

    Amid cheers by the people, he said he would consult his arch political foe, President Goodluck Jonathan, among others, before deciding to join APC.

    Addressing the crowd, which joined him in receiving the APC leaders in Government House, Port Harcourt, Amaechi said: “I will consult the president. I will. He is from our zone. I will consult all the consultables.”

    He said after the consultations, he would come back to the people because they are important.

    He said the day he decides to join APC, he would ask the president to come and address Rivers people at the Olympic- sized 40,000 capacity stadium he is building at the Greater Port Harcourt City.

    Amaechi, who has been having a running battle with the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mbu Joseph Mbu, urged the youths to be prepared to rise up against police impunity by using “peoples’ power”.

    He said he was impressed with the way the youths dared the police at the Port Harcourt Airport junction when they were barred from going into the place to receive the visiting APC leaders.

    Amaechi invited those who accused him of collecting N1.9trillion in federal allocation without nothing to show for it to a public debate, promising to show them the projects he has so far executed.

    An APC leader, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, described Amaechi as “a bridge builder.”

    Buhari praised Amaechi for the projects he has so far executed, especially in education, saying: “Education is the greatest thing a good leader can give to his people”.

    He said 2015 would be a watershed because there would be a lot of work for people to do in this country then.

    Another APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said they were in the state to urge the people to ask Amaechi to lead them to the party.

    Tinubu also praised the leadership qualities of Amaechi as a former Speaker and leader of the Nigerian Conference of Speakers, describing him as a progressive.

    The country, he said, could not develop on the altar of intimidation, harassment and lies, pointing out that Amaechi is focused and would not have been elected governor without the peoples’ support.

    Amaechi, he said, was being persecuted because he was fighting for the assets, toils, oil lands, and revenue of Rivers, adding: “A man who stands to be cheated is not a man, he is a pig.”

    Tinubu said the APC leaders were impressed with the way Amaechi had been transforming the state, especially in education, pointing out that they had been taken round to see some of the projects the governor has executed.

    Amaechi, he said, had given Rivers children “the greatest weapon against poverty, education; given our women pre-natal and ante natal care at the rural level before the world; transforming and renewing our infrastructure in an aggressive and radical manner.

    “We have seen Port Harcourt emerge as the bed of flowers, the Garden City again. Just a drive through, we have seen the emancipation of the people. We thank you for the support.”

    APC Interim National Vice Chairman, Southsouth Chief Tom Ikimi said he had known Amaechi for 25 years as one who stands on his belief.

    Ikimi said APC’s registration caused a stir at the national level because it offered the people an alternative platform to pursue their ambition, adding: “Since we now have an alternative platform, there is nothing they can do to you.”

    APC Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande said the party’s visit had debunked the notion that Amaechi has no followers, seeing the “mammoth crowd that came to receive us.”

    Describing Amaechi as “a leader”, Akande said: “We will not go home without asking you to ask him to join APC because it is the party for the courageous.”

    Lawmakers from the state, represented by Senator Magnus Abe, Hon Andrew Uchendu of the House of Representatives and Speaker of the House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan-Amachree urged Amaechi to begin talks with the APC leaders, promising to follow him any where he goes because they trust him.

    The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) made up of the 23 local government chairmen in the state, represented by Hon. Oji Ngofa of Eleme Local Government Area, also assured Amaechi of their support.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman, Dr Sam Sam Jaja, praised the people for coming out in large numbers to welcome the APC leaders.

     

  • ‘Amaechi is an epitome of courage under fire!’

    ‘Amaechi is an epitome of courage under fire!’

    Text of a speech by APC Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande when the party’s leaders visited Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi in Port Harcourt yesterday

     

    Today, the unstoppable APC train, which has made important stops in Kano, Jigawa and Adamawa, has arrived in Rivers State.

    This is another important stop, because it allows us, the APC leaders, not only to invite Chibuike Amaechi, the courageous Governor of Rivers, to join the growing APC family, but to show our solidarity with a man who has succeeded in battling anti-democratic forces to a standstill.

    Let us be clear. Our party has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Gov. Amaechi since the beginning of his travails. We have been unrelenting in our support because our party stands for justice, fairness and unfettered freedom. We abhor dictatorship clad in fake democratic garments.

    We believe that the system of government that we operate does not make provision for an imperial presidency, who can neither be criticised nor opposed. That is why we told those who said the APC is crying more than the bereaved on the Rivers State issue, that we are indeed the bereaved anytime the rule of law is supplanted with the rule of the jungle; and we are the bereaved anytime a democratically-elected President thumbs his nose at the Nigerian Constitution. Or how else do we explain a situation in which a duly elected Governor, who is known to the Constitution as the Chief Security Officer of his state, is now being made to run his state side by side with the State Police Commissioner, who has been elevated to the de facto Governor by the presidency?

    How do we explain a situation in which a State Governor is being prevented from accessing his official residence by the police who should take orders from him? Where is it done that a State Governor cannot receive visitors, including fellow State Governors, without being tear-gassed and humiliated by the police? Or how does one justify a situation in which armed thugs backed by the police attack lawmakers in the hallowed chambers of the State House of Assembly?

    Gov. Amaechi has been enduring these and other indignities, without wilting under fire! His plane has been grounded under flimsy, cooked-up excuses! They felt they have clipped his wings, but he is soaring even higher.

    What is his offence? Standing up for the defence of democracy and the Constitution, leading his fellow Governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to reject a creeping dictatorship.

    But because he provided good leadership, because he has the support of his colleagues in the NGF and because his cause is just, he has prevailed over his adversaries, and he stands taller than his physique.

    Because he stands as a bulwark against those who wanted to annihilate democracy and cripple governance, the plan to extend the anarchy in Rivers State to other states of the Federation has failed.

    That is why we called him an epitome of courage.

    It was Maya Angelou, the African-American author and poet, who said courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.

    Perhaps that was why another American poet, Robert Frost, said that freedom lies in being bold.

    Thanks to Gov. Amaechi’s courage, Nigeria’s democracy is stronger, and our country is better.

    We salute your courage under fire, your tenacity under an endless assault and your commitment to unfettered freedom for all citizens.

    Since the leaking umbrella can no longer protect you from the vagaries of harsh weather, we ask you to jump on the APC train that will take Nigeria to the promised land!

     

  • Jonathan, Amaechi close ranks for First Lady’s mother

    Jonathan, Amaechi close ranks for First Lady’s mother

    It was an occasion Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State  chose to forget  his bitter political feud with the first family,even if only momentarily: the funeral of  Madam Charity Fyneface Oba,mother of Dame Patience Jonathan.

    Before  a large number  of  guests at the post-burial reception, the governor took to the dancing floor,swirling to the music  of Gozie Okeke, Buchi and Yinka Ayefele, among other top artistes.

    And he got   massive applause from the crowd for his effort.

    Governor Amaechi has been locked in a prolonged battle  with  the First Lady  since 2010  over the governor’s attempt to demolish some structures in Okrika where both of them hail from to make room  for the expansion of a model primary school.

    The First Lady was displeased by the demolition.

    The first couple are also said not to have taken kindly to the governor’s perceived  presidential ambition in 2015.

    Their differences were aggravated   by the governor’s insistence on seeking re-election as Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum. He won, defeating the Presidency’s candidate –Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State.

    Yesterday’s  funeral  service at Okrika National Secondary School had in attendance  Vice-President, Namadi Sambo;  Senate President  David Mark; House of Representatives   Deputy Speaker  Emeka Ihedioha; and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

    Also there were  Governors Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa State); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Theodore Orji (Abia);  Peter Obi (Anambra); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Adams Oshiomhole (Edo); Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu; Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike;  former Bayelsa Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; his wife, Margaret, as well as an ex-Rivers Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, and his wife, Justice Mary Odili .

    Some members of the National Assembly, top Rivers government officials,  self-acclaimed  Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, who represents Ogu/Bolo constituency, and other eminent persons also attended the funeral.

     The leader of the Niger Delta Vigilance Movement, Ateke Tom, who is also an indigene of Okrika and very close to the First Lady.

     President Jonathan, speaking at the service, urged political office holders to always be conscious of what they would be remembered for after leaving office.

    Once the entertainment segment of the ceremony got underway ,Amaechi stood up and started dancing.

    Madam Oba died in a motor accident on July 22 on the  Port Harcourt-Elele Road on her way to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    Jonathan, in his address at the funeral, said: “All of us who are here on earth are to play our roles. The key thing is what people will remember us for. Sisi is lucky that so many Nigerians and indeed outside Nigeria have gathered here.

    “Not every person will have that privilege, but the key thing is that whether you are being buried silently or you have the privilege of being honoured by so many people, is what will you leave behind?

    “For me, as a political leader and most of my friends who are politicians, politics or holding political offices is almost like death. While you are there, you are on the stage. The day you leave, what will people remember you for? That has always been my guiding principle, no matter the comments, whether the comments are to the left, to the right or to the centre.

    “What challenges me everyday is that the day I step out of the State House, what will the present and future generations of Nigerians remember me for? I believe that is what should guide most of us who are holding political offices.”

    The President,quoting  the Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3 Verses 1 to 5,  said there is time to be born and  time to die.

    “Sisi has done well. We are remembering her. My family is one family that will surely remember her. In fact, when her biography was being read, my children were crying. My children appear to be the last set of small children that she brought up. That is to tell you how we feel about her.

    “As a mother-in-law, she was a wonderful woman. I do not want to bore you by recounting what she did and how she supported us, but if you have such a lady as a mother-in-law, you will continue to thank God.”

    Dame Jonathan said the deceased  “ continued to feed us up to the time of her untimely death. She continued to provide us with garri and dry fish. She would not demand anything from you and would not consider your status in life. She continued to play the role of a mother.

    “She was not short of charity in her lifetime. She was ever willing to share the little she had, not only with her family members, but with strangers. She accommodated all. She was a disciplinarian and was always asking us to have the fear of God and to get good education.”

    Earlier, Prof. Samuel Nwora, Head of Sabbath Church in Rivers, described death as a submission to the will of God.

    He reminded Christians of the need to be obedient to the will of God, saying that it was unchristian to show rebellion to authority.

    He condemned rebellion and insubordination of all kinds, which he explained, was the sin of Satan in heaven.

    Nwora urged Christians to always respect constituted authority which, he said, had a blessing from God.