The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Rotimi Amaechi

  • Amaechi calls for peace, love, unity

    Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has called for peace, love and unity among Nigerians as Christians celebrate Easter.

    Amaechi urged Christians to use the Easter celebrations to thank God for His grace and continue to pray for peace, development and the greater good of the country.

    In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt by his Chief Press Secretary, David Iyofor, the chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) said Christians had a task to reflect on their belief of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, through constant prayers for the nation.

    Amaechi said: “Our Christian leaders should use the Easter period to pray for peace, unity and love among Nigerians. We are one Nigeria.

    “Christians, at this time, have a duty to always reflect their belief, according to the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, through prayers for our nation.

    “This is because Jesus Christ died, was buried and on the third day arose that the world may be saved.”

    Amaechi also emphasised the need for Christians to use the Easter period as a moment of sober reflection and thank God for the success of the 2015 presidential election, while praying for peaceful conduct, fairness and credibility in the April 11 governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

  • Amaechi declines to vote over original result sheets

    The Director-General of Buhari/Osinbajoi Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi, refused to be accredited in his Ubima hometown in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who could not produce result sheets for the elections.

    Amaechi, the Governor of Rivers State and the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), according to Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, returned home at 1:44 p.m., when it became obvious that the result sheets would not be produced.

    Semenitari said: “Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has just returned from his polling unit in Ubima (Ward 8, Unit 14) without being accredited. INEC officials there claimed that they did not have the result sheet for the unit.

    “The Governor said he could not subject himself to accreditation, when the required election materials meant for his unit could not be accounted for by INEC officials.”

    Reports from other parts of Rivers state, according to the Rivers information commissioner, showed that the problem of absence of result sheets was widespread.

    Semenitari said: “It is believed that the result sheets are in the hands of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officials in the state, with the intention of falsifying results after the accreditation period. In some areas, armed men chased away people who have been accredited.”

    While monitoring the presidential and National Assembly elections round the 23 LGAs of Rivers state, it was observed that during accreditation, the INEC’s presiding officers displayed ignorance by not removing the protective film on the lens of the smart card readers, which caused delay, before the supervising presiding officers came to their rescue, with the turnout of voters round the state being massive, in spite of the scorching sun.

     

  • APC members are killed, harassed daily, says Amaechi

    APC members are killed, harassed daily, says Amaechi

    •Seven persons killed, 16 arrested, 307 marked for detention

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has said members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are killed and harrased daily in the state.

    Amaechi spoke at a news conference in Port Harcourt, the state capital yesterday.

    He accused the police of taking sides with the peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The governor listed the names of seven APC members who have been killed as: Thomas Wogu, Weli Okabie, Ngizin Omordu, Chima Ovunwo, Nnamdi Peter and Maduba Sampson.

    He said the seven APC chieftains were killed in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni  (ONELGA)  on March 10 APC during governorship rally in the area.

    He also alleged that 16 of the party members have been arrested over unsubstantial charges, adding that 307 top members have been listed for arrest and detention before the elections to weaken the party.

    The governor said: “The most ridiculous is that the Police whom we are supposed to run to for protection have commenced the withdrawal of Police security for top APC members, including that of the gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside. Where then we may ask lies our hope and the hope of the common man and all seekers of justice and protection if the police in Rivers State can so blatantly and unashamedly take sides in the Politics of the State? Has the Police stooped so low to become the enforcement wing of the PDP in Rivers State?

    “We wish to again point out that whilst the recent rash unlawful arrests, harassments and illegal detention of APC members in the State using SARS and Zone 6 officers of the Police Force is taking place daily, nothing seems to be happening in respect of our various petitions and except the Almighty God, we are left with no protection from the law enforcement agencies and PDP is being encouraged to run amok and take the laws into their hands. This has invariably caused the generality of our members in the State to lose confidence in the ability of the Nigeria Police in Rivers State to protect all the citizens alike.

    “It is sad that because of the clear partisanship and deliberate attempt Rivers people could not be living at a worse season of insecurity now than ever, pitiably, under an Inspector General of Police, who co-incidentally had been a Commissioner of Police in the state. The IG cannot claim ignorance of the huge security gap that the administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has filled in Rivers State over the years. “We are thus left to conclude that Mr. Suleiman is obviously sympathetic to the PDP and would rather protect the interest of the party rather than that of the generality of Nigerians.

    “We therefore challenge IGP Suleiman Abba to prove to Nigerians that he is still an officer and a gentleman”.

  • ‘Nigerians are tired of Jonathan, PDP leadership – Amaechi

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that Nigerians are tired of President Goodluck Jonathan and Peoples Democratic Party leadership and need change through the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    Amaechi, who is also the Governor of Rivers State, assured that Buhari would force change on corrupt Nigerians, instill discipline and uprightness in Nigerians, especially the corrupt public officials, if he wins the February 14 presidential election.

    He said corruption would disappear in Nigeria, particularly in government’s ministries, if Buhari is elected President of Nigeria.

    Amaechi, who is also the Director-General of Buhari Campaign Organisation, spoke on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, when he sworn in nine permanent secretaries.

    He said: “We were sharing some discussions in the bus, in the cause of our campaigns. The President (Jonathan) and the PDP never knew that there will be a time like this in Nigeria, when Nigerians will be asking for change, not because of APC or Amaechi, but because they are tired of what is going on. No matter the lies you tell, Nigerians just want change.

    “Any type of change, they want it. It could be change for the better. It could be change even for the worse, but they certainly want change.”

    The new permanent secretaries are – Amieyefori Joseph, Marcus Anga, Samuel Egbe, Dagogo Heart, Mrs. A. E. Petito, Augustine Orlu Orlu, Sam Woka, Kingsley Hart and Mrs. Ibaniba Abella Briggs.

    The NGF chairman also urged the new permanent secretaries to see their appointments as a call to serve.

    He said: “In the same manner, the civil servants and Nigeria cannot continue to be the way they are going. So, if you think you will continue to collect money and continue to do things the way you like, one day you will just wake up and consider that people will start chasing you around and you will be wondering why you are being chased.

    “Do not be one of those Permanent Secretaries that history will have on the wrong side of the society. If you do not want to serve, please resign, because it comes with challenges. Just imagine the days when J. E. Amadi was a Permanent Secretary. Now, Permanent Secretaries have houses everywhere, estates they have built for themselves and busy sharing money.

    “You better change, because the Buhari’s government will force change on everybody. I hope you listened to him (Buhari), he is not talking about EFCC, he said there are rules of the civil service. If we obey those rules, corruption will seize. If we all run government by those rules, then we will have a better country.”

    The Rivers governor then congratulated the new permanent secretaries and wished them well.

  • Pastors collected N6b to campaign against APC, Buhari – Amaechi

    Pastors collected N6b to campaign against APC, Buhari – Amaechi

    The Director-General of Buhari Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi, has disclosed that unnamed leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) paid N6 billion to Christian clerics to campaign against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    Amaechi, who is also the Governor of Rivers State, expressed surprise that the compromised pastors were circulating documents to Nigerians, where they alleged that the APC and its presidential candidate would Islamize the entire country, if Buhari is elected as President during the February 14 election.

    The chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum spoke on Tuesday at Emohua, the headquarters of Emohua local government area of Rivers State, during the campaign of the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside.

    Amaechi stressed that Nigerians were too enlightened for an individual or a political party to Islamise the whole country, asking the bribed clerics to return the money to the coffers of the Federal Government.

    He said: “Some pastors collected N6 billion and they are circulating documents and telling you not to vote for an Hausa man, not to vote for a Muslim because they want to Islamise Nigeria. Tell them to return our N6 billion.

    “They gave them N6 billion. They should return it to the Federal Government coffers. They will tell you that Buhari wants to Islamise Nigeria. Tell them we are too educated. I am a Catholic, but no Catholic priest has told me that story right now in the Catholic Church, because I will ask him how.

    “If any Pastor tells you that, tell him to return the money. Nobody can Islamise Nigeria. They have commercialized Jesus Christ. They should stop commercializing Jesus Christ. He is our Lord and Saviour.

    “You know what Jesus Christ did in the temple. He chased them away. We shall chase away those pastors who collected money from PDP leaders to tell us lies. We shall chase them away on behalf of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

    Amaechi also stated that the presidential election would be a referendum between him and President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “I told the President (Dr. Jonathan) that the presidential election in Rivers State is a referendum between him and me. I told him anywhere I go, I will show what I have done. Let him show what he has done.”

     

  • Jonathan has admitted failure in Niger Delta – Amaechi

    Jonathan has admitted failure in Niger Delta – Amaechi

    Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, said on Thursday in Benin City, Edo State that President Goodluck Jonathan admitted in Port Harcourt on Wednesday that he has failed the people of South- south for not impacting meaningfully in the region.

    Amaechi said with the self confessions of failure by the President, the people of South-south should not waste their votes on him come February 14.

    He said,”My people, President Goodluck Jonathan came to Rivers State on Wednesday and admitted that, he (Jonathan) has failed in his responsibility to the people of the region. Is that not enough to tell him to go home and rest? After six years, there is nothing to show our people that this what our President Goodluck Jonathan has done for us, haba.

    “This our brother President Goodluck Jonathan is telling our Rivers State people that I will do this, I will do that and after six years. Haba!

    “For me and my brother Adams Oshiomhole, what we tell our people is what we have done, not I will do.”

  • Huge crowd as Buhari campaigns in Kano

    Huge crowd as Buhari campaigns in Kano

    HUGE crowd yesterday received All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign team to the Northwest. Kano, the North’s commercial heart and Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, were throbbing with people as APC candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari sold his party’s programme.

    The Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano was filled to capacity. There were more people in the foreground than in the arena.

    Supporters climbed different platforms, including telecom masts, to sight the APC leaders.

    Gen. Buhari and his team, including Campaign Director-General Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Bukola Saraki, Governor Aliyu Wamakko, Senator Kabir Gaya, party Deputy Chairman Lawal Shuaibu, Chief Bisi Akande and party Chair Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, were received by Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and his deputy, Umar Ganduje. Ganduje is the APC governorship candidate.

    Presenting the party’s candidate to the enthusiastic supporters, Tambuwal said: “I want to tell you that God is with us, for He has given us Buhari who will end corruption in Nigeria…If you come out and vote for us, by God’s grace, we will achieve all we have set to do.”

    Gen. Buhari, overwhelmed by the massive crowds, slowly made his way to the stage and addressed the supporters in Hausa, reaffirming his commitment to restoring security, power supply, education and infrastructure. He also spoke on the vital importance of collecting the permanent voter cards and ensuring that votes are defended. “Ensure you stay behind and defend your votes,” he said to an enthusiastic audience who replied, screaming: Sai Buhari! Baba oyoyo!

    Kwankwaso said he was optimistic that Gen. Buhari would be sworn in as  the president.

    Tinubu said:  Nigeria sai Buhari, Kano sai Ganduje, Kano  Central Senatorial district, sai Kwankwaso. Thank you. God bless you.”

    The team moved to Jigawa at about 4:30pm.

    In Dutse. Gen. Buhari said his administration would utilise aviation, seaport and railways to generate revenue and job opportunities as alternative to oil.

    He promised to revive the agricultural sector, if elected, to provide food and enough raw material to agro-allied companies.

    He said: “As I have been saying wherever I go, if elected into office, my government will revitalise agriculture from subsistence to commercial through provision of modern techniques of farming.”

    He said the devaluation of the Naira, socio -economic backwardness, insecurity, and lack of social amenities will be a thing of the past

    Gen. Buhari said he would fight corruption headlong and would give opportunity to the less privileged to enjoy free education.

    Odigie-Oyegun said Nigeria must be brought back to life again.

    “What we are saying is that there will be peace in Nigeria, once more, if Buhari wins.”

    The gubernatorial candidate of the APC in Jigawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Badaru Talamis, said once Gen. Buhari is voted in as the president, there woulf be no more corruption.

  • Amaechi’s supporters protest attacks on APC members

    Amaechi’s supporters protest attacks on APC members

    A housands of supporters of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, protested the incessant attacks on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, especially in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

    The protesters, carrying placards with various inscriptions, were led by the leader of the APC in the local government, Chief Tony Okocha.

    The protesters lodged complaints at the state headquarters of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) in Port Harcourt.

    The protest was held barely 48 hours after alleged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs attacked APC members at a rally at Ward 10 in Rumueme, Port Harcourt.

    Several APC members were seriously injured and hospitalised.

    The secretariat of the APC in Okrika, the headquarters of Okrika Local Government Area, was also bombed last Sunday morning by suspected PDP thugs.

    Okocha, an APC House of Representatives candidate for Obio/Akpor, was accompanied by a former member of the House of Representatives, Ike Samuel Chinwo, and the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Obio/Ákpor Local Government Area, Dr. Lawrence Chuku.

    Some of the placards read: “This one is not democracy, it is dictatorship”; “We say no to thuggery, incessant attacks on APC embers”; “APC will resist police intimidation”; “Police, enough is enough”; “Are APC members in Obio/Akpor LGA not Nigerians?” and “Police, stop encouraging violence in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

  • Amaechi to lead APC presidential campaign team

    Amaechi to lead APC presidential campaign team

    Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has been appointed as Director General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organization.

    Amaechi’s appointment, according to a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, will drive the party’s efforts to win the 2015 presidential election.

    The statement said the announcement followed the hugely successful convention which produced the party’s presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and the subsequent selection of his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

    The statement said, “Amaechi’s outstanding reputation as a man of courage, principle, strength of character, decency and love of country, as well as his administrative prowess and organizational skills combined to fetch him perhaps the most important task in the quest for positive change in Nigeria.”

    The party thanked Nigerians for their support and prayers toward the success of the convention, the emergence of Gen. Buhari as the APC presidential candidate and the choice of Prof. Osinbajo as his running mate.

    .”With a presidential candidate that has rekindled the hopes of the citizenry and revived their belief in democratic ideals, we believe we must also choose a running mate that will complement the sterling qualities of the presidential candidate. We must confess that the choice was a tough one, considering the array of eminently-qualified and outstanding candidates that we had to choose from.

    ”Yes, we were spoilt for choice but, in the end, we picked as running mate a man whose pedigree, nationally, sub-regionally, regionally and globally, attests to the fact that our party, the APC, is a repository of high quality leadership materials, and that our country, Nigeria, has no shortage of the very best human resources.

    “Whether in the academic, legal or ecclesial world, Prof. Osinbajo stands much taller than his physical frame, and serves as a good accompaniment to our presidential candidate, himself a man of such rare sterling qualities that have stood the test of time, qualities that are now so sorely lacking in our country’s leadership,” the party added.

     

  • Amaechi: Nigerians are too docile

    Amaechi: Nigerians are too docile

    RIVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has blamed the growing insecurity in the country on poverty. He said if the government runs an economy that allows for the realisation of peoples’ aspirations, there would be less crime. The governor, however noted that Nigerians were not holding their leaders accountable as most pressure groups have become appendages of the ruling government. He spoke on Poisonous Gas: The crude politics of oil in Africa at this year’s Ake Art and Book Festival in Abeokuta on Saturday, urging Nigerians to always ask questions.

    “Unfortunately, institutions like the police, army and the state security services have become personalised to the extent that they now serve the man in power. In fact, there is no institutions to effect the rule of law in Nigeria,” he said.

    He added that the only viable option for Nigerians is to ask questions and hold their leaders accountable because there are no effective institutions that can act as check and balance. According to him, the only enforcement of rule of law lies in the hands of the people.

    Reacting to question on why oil producing states, such as Rivers have not challenged the Federal Government over the negative impact of oil exploration, Amaechi said all Nigerians would share in the blame. He recalled that the late Yar Adua did well by putting pressure on oil companies to redress the consequences of oil exploration on the environment. Amaechi blamed the failure of the present administration to follow up on what Yar Adua did on corruption.

    “Once you compromise with the oil companies, you will lack the morale right to enforce the laws. That is the situation in the oil sector. Unfortunately, Nigeria does not have the accurate data on the consequences of these pollution problems. Not even the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). On environmental problems what has Nigerians done? We have not been able to ask questions,” he said.

    On true fiscal federalism, he said: “If every administration manages the nation’s resources well, I will not mind whose hands the resources are.” He noted that the local government councils lack the human and financial capacity to develop the nation’s primary education, which is very critical to laying solid foundation for educational development.”