Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, yesterday alleged that his name was number one, among the 1,000 Nigerians on President Goodluck Jonathan’s security watch list.
The governor disclosed this at the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally, held at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.
Amaechi, who was addressing his supporters, however, said he was not afraid as he had God on his side.
He said: “I read the president’s letter, he said Obasanjo should prove and name those on the list. I am number one on the list. I am number one.”
Former president Olusequn Obasanjo, in a letter he wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan, among others, accused him of having 1,000 Nigerians on a watch list, and having a killer-squad.
Amaechi said the purpose of yesterday’s rally was not for his official declaration for APC, but to draw the attention of the people to the continued impunity by Jonathan’s administration.
According to him, he intended to declare officially at the new stadium nearing completion, and not at the Liberation Stadium, which had the capacity of accommodating 16,000 people.
The governor decried the breach of rule of law in Nigeria, adding that innocent people were being molested by the police and thugs.
He also accused his opponents in Rivers State of arming thugs with guns and dynamites to destabilize the state.
The governor, however, charged his supporters not to be deterred by what was happening in the state, saying there would be light at the end of the tunnel.
He said: “Prepare to suffer under the current government, but come 2015… (he started singing) ‘Thing are getting better, things are getting better, as Lord is on the throne, things are getting better, things are getting better, thing are getting better’.”
He stressed the need for Rivers people to make sacrifice now for a better tomorrow.
Amaechi, who is the chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, also told the people how all conditions were met, and necessary documents signed for African Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank to sponsor water project in Rivers State, but the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, according to him, allegedly refused to sign for the Federal Government, thereby, stalling the project.
On the criticisms that, he wanted to jettison South-South Presidency for Vice President position, he said: “One thing is bothering me. All those, who are on the other side are saying, they want South-South president. Don’t worry, you know, in politics. You are not here today because you like Amaechi; but some of you are today because you want to protect your interest. True or false? So, if a South-South president refuses to give you water, what do you do? Sweep him out!
“ … You must be prepared for hard, hard, hard struggle. On the day of the election, they will come with their gang, they will come with thugs and police. You must stand and watch your votes.”
While accusing Jonathan’s administration of not executing a single project in the state, he urged the people to use the broom to sweep the president out of office in 2013.
He described his opponents as hungry people, who had been out of power for more than six years.
“They are broke,” he declared.
Speaking earlier, former military head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) regretted that Nigerians were suffering in the midst of plenty, adding that APC government would strife to raise the standard of living of Nigerians.
He said the party would do everything possible to ensure credible election in 2015. He condemned Jonathan’s administration for promoting what he called, lawlessness.
The leader of the APC and former governor of Lagos State Asiwaju Ahmed Tinibu, in his speech, described Governor Amaechi as a ‘wonder boy’.
He commended the governor for taking the bold step to decamp to APC. Tinubu also applauded the decision of some National Assembly members for decamping to APC, adding that they would not regret their action.
Describing the defectors as eagles, he said they were in the state to launch the broom revolution, which would be used to sweep away evil, abuse of power, among others, in Rivers State. Others who spoke at the event were, the acting National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, and South-South Vice Chairman of the party, Chief Tom Ikimi.
The high point of the event was the inauguration of 37-member interim state executive, led by Governor Amaechi.
Culled from Osun Defender
No comments:
Post a Comment