Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has finally dumped the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.
From what we reliably gathered, Governor Amaechi defected to APC with no few than two million supporters across the state. With the defection of the Governor, the battle line is now cleared between the ruling party and the opposition APC.
Information reaching our political desk had it that, one basic strategy the governor would use to destroy the backbone of PDP is to conduct a local government election by January, 2014.
According to political analysts, if Amaechi is allowed to conduct the council election, by January next year, APC might sweeps the polls.
It would be recalled that barely three (3) weeks ago, the Governor hosted the national leadership of the APC in the Government House.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Rivers State chapter, has reacted to the merger between All Progressives Congress(APC) and the Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State is a member.
The Rivers State Chairman of the party, Chief Felix Obuah, disclosed on Tuesday in Port Harcourt that members of the party would organize a thanksgiving service to celebrate the exit of the governor from the party and to thank God for answering their prayers.
Chief Obuah also said members of the party were not surprised about the ‘official exit’ of the aggrieved G7 governors from the party.
Rather, he explained that the governor’s defection to APC was a vindication of the party’s earlier revelation.
Obuah, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Jerry Needam, said PDP welcomed the development, describing it as a big relief.
According to him, the leadership of the party had continued to tolerate the actions of the governor over a period of time, both at the state and national levels,
He explained that with his defection the party now stood a better chance of delivering dividends of democracy to the people
“The party further congratulated all those who have over the period, joined hands with its leadership in fighting against dictatorship, impunity and abuse of rights of the citizenry in Rivers State.
The PDP however, wishes Governor Amaechi and his supporters best of luck in their future endeavour,” the statement said.
Reacting to the merger, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Tony Okocha said: “In recent times, it is the best thing that has happened to our democracy, because, it is a merger of like minds. People who are resolved to catapult the country from the dungeon that we are now, to an apposite point. It is a good omen for the country and our democracy. So, we thank God and bless God for the day.
Impeccable sources have hinted this weekly that, Governor Amaechi has summoned a closed door meeting with the 22 Local Government Areas Chairmen in the state in Government House, on Wednesday.
Also invited to the meeting were the serving commissioners in the state.
The details of the meeting were not known as the time of going to the press, but sources informed this publication that the Governor has ordered them to commence mobilization of members to the APC in their respective LGAs.
The deposed Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Dan Amachree and other state lawmakers were also in attendance.
