…Amaechi Must Go…Tele Ikuru May Resign
…8 Lawmakers, Obuah In secret Talk
…PDP Threatens To Destroy APC’s Flags
Tension mounts in Rivers State as the lingering political crisis in the state took another dimension last week following the decision of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to dump the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Governor Amaechi who cited injustice, maltreatment, lack of fair play amongst others as reasons of his defection to the APC, expressed optimism that the opposition party would initiate ideas and programmes that will usher in the needed development to the state.
However, at the weekend, the political imbroglio has taken a fresh twist, when the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi called the people of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area to resist the hoisting of APC’s flags in the area.
The Speaker who made the called at Ogu during the inauguration of the LGA and Ward Officers of the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI), threatened to stop the commissioning of the APC’s secretariat in the LGA.
“I am assuring you today that you cannot see APC’s flag in Ogu/Bolo,” Rt. Hon. Bipi said.
The Speaker who described Amaechi as a “mad man”, faulted the Governor for the dissolution of the Obio/Akpor council. He observed that the Governor’s action is illegal and unconstitutionally and wondered where Governor Amaechi derives his constitutional right to dissolve the Obio/Akpor council.
“Amaechi has no right to dissolve Obio/Akpor council. Amaechi cannot force Prince Hon. Timothy Nsirim out of Obio/Akpor council,” Rt. Hon. Bipi asserted.
Rt. Hon. Bipi threatened to declare vacant the seats of legislators still loyal to Governor Amaechi if they refused to retract their foot steps.
In his speech, the former Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Chief Hon. Austin Adiele Opara insists that the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Amaechi must vacate office. He described the Governor as a sole administrator and an enemy of democracy,” lamenting that the Governor is working assiduously to ensure that the Rivers Assembly and the judiciary in the state are not functioning.
The ex-federal lawmaker regretted that there are so much impunity in the administration of Governor Amaechi.
How can a Governor will declared a one week public holiday in the state? This has never happened in the country before. We must stop this impunity. And the Pharaoh must Go”, Chief Opara said.
In his remarks, a former Minister of Transport, Dr. Precious Abiye Sekibo alleged that Rivers’ resources are use to fund the opposition APC. He described the chieftains of the APC namely: Buhari, Akande, Tinubu and others as deceivers, whose intention is to deceive Governor Amaechi to siphon the state’s resources to sponsor their political ambition. He blasted the Governor for his selfish interest, saying that Rivers money belong to Rivers people and not for the opposition party.
In his response, a lawmaker representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator George Sekibo, assured that no APC’s flag shall fly in Ogu/Bolo LGA.
He declared that the battle line has drawn, since “the lion is loosed, but we must cage him.” The federal legislator enjoined the people of the area to support President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s second term ambition.
While delivering his address, the chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the PDP, Chief Felix Obuah disclosed that he has recently met with the eight (8) members of RSHA, and they are begging for the lifting of the suspension order placed on them by the party leadership.
According to Obuah, APC has been buried long time ago, expressing optimism that the party (APC) is going nowhere.
The Rivers PDP Chief accused Amaechi of recruiting thugs and hoodlums to carry out massive destruction across the state. He advised the members of the party and GDI to go about their lawful businesses and not to do anything that would create confusion in their localities.
Also speaking, the National Vice Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus said that no amount of opposition would stop President Jonathan from recontesting in 2015.
Prince Secondus advised Governor Amaechi to stop using Rivers resources to blackmail Rivers elders and leaders. He thanked Chief Nyesom Wike for his initiative in resuscitating the University system by calling on the striking lecturers to go back to classroom.
Also addressing a cross section of the members of the GDI, the Supervising Minister for Education, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, urged the people to back President Jonathan for second term. He however, assured the people of Obio/Akpor that nothing would disrupt the administration of the LGA. He declared that Hon. Timothy Nsirim remains the authentic chairman of Obalga.
In another development, strong indications emerged on Tuesday that the deputy Governor of Rivers State, Engr. Tele Ikuru might resign. Sources hinted this weekly that the deputy Governor is planning to vacate office, following his refusal to join his boss, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Engr. Ikuru as we are reliably gathered has now become a “stranger” in the Brick House, as APC dominates the Government House.
“Most of the political aides in Government House are no longer associating with the Deputy Governor for fear of rebuke by the Governor since Engr. Ikuru does not want to identify with the APC”, a knowledgeable source informed The Newswriter.
The Deputy Governor is now at the cross road whether to stay in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or to toe the line of his principal officer, Governor Amaechi.
Very soon, if the political crisis in the state is not well managed, it would blow into full scale war, that might consume several over ambitious politicians.###
