A group known as Coalition of 2011 Governorship Candidates in Rivers State has passed a vote of confidence on governor Chibuike Amaechi on the heels of the recent political crisis in the state.
In a press statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by the Association’s Secretary, Rev. Dr. O.T Gillis Harry and chairman, Prince Uchechukwu Ichenwo, the group said it frowns at the planned attempt by a minority group to impeach the governor, describing it as unconstitutional.
The statement also condemned what it calls, “the role, activities and lopsidedness of the commissioner of police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu in handling of the political situation in Rivers State, and called on the Inspector General of Police “to dispatch a team of neutral police officers to safe-guard lives and property of Rivers people.”
The group said “it also condemns the distractions and witch-hunting of governor Amaechi, whom it said has raised the bar in the area of infrastructural development in the state.
The former governorship candidates of 18 political parties in 2011 election said they are not satisfied with the indifference exhibited by the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the whole matter, that culminated into the closure of Obio/Akpor Secretariat.
The coalition said it wonders why NULGE of all unions will fold its hands and watch while its members are being humiliated at Obio/Akpor even after a court has ordered the vacation of the police from the council.
The statement further condemned the involvement of women in the political crisis, that has engulfed Rivers State accusing the feuding parties of using financial inducement to lure women into the political crisis, which it said was despicable.
The group called on the people of Rivers State to reject the “emerging institutionalization of political induced crisis” which it said is capable of stalling socio-economic and political development in the state, as championed by Gov. Amaechi’s administration. ###
Barth Ndu
