Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has denied shunning the meeting of Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP held Monday and chaired by Governor Godswill Akpabio.
Amaechi who arrived Abuja this morning after speaking at the Commonwealth Observance Day which held at the Westminister Abbey in London said it was mischievous to say he shunned the PDP Governors meeting.
A statement signed by the Commissioner of Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari said that contrary to rumours and speculations in some quarters that the governor shunned the PDP governors’ forum, Governor Amaechi was one of the three high profile speakers at the event which had as its theme: “Opportunity through Enterprise”. “ Governor Amaechi was in the United Kingdom to make Nigeria proud at the historic event,” Semenitari said.
Mrs. Semenitari said that since 1973, Commonwealth Day has been marked on the second Monday in March by a unique multi faith observance where globally recognized persons who are embodiments of the year’s theme spirit are invited to deliver evidence based testimonials.
“This year, Governor Amaechi was invited several months ago to speak alongside Virgin Atlantic’s Richard Branson and Rickel Patel, Executive Director of Avaaz, the largest online activist community,” she stated.
“One wonders why mischief makers will insinuate that Governor Amaechi shunned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum when in actual fact he was flying the Nigerian flag at this historic global event, Mrs. Semenitari said.
The Commissioner described the Governor as a loyal party man who would always participate in activities of the PDP but for the clash in date.
Mrs. Semenitari lauded Governor Amaechi’s towering international profile which earned him a shirt at the commonwealth forum describing it as recognition of his landmark achievements anchored on transparency and accountability.
“The time has come for detractors to acknowledge the fact that mudslinging cannot overshadow the global recognition given to a people-oriented governor.
“Governor Amaechi remains committed to the building of our nation Nigeria and the democratic ideals of his party, the PDP and no amount of blackmail can change this incontrovertible fact, “Mrs. Semenitari said.
