Every ethnic group has right to Rivers governorship – Amaechi

The Custodian April 18, 2014

Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has stressed the importance of rotational governorship in the state.

He explained that apart from the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, any other ethnic group in the state could contest next year’s governorship election.

Having himself ruled the state as governor from Ikwerre ethnic group, Governor Amaechi said it would be unfair for yet another Ikwerre son or daughter to aspire to become governor of the state next year.

 He spoke when the chiefs and elders of Ogu/Bolo paid him a solidarity visit in Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday.

He described those from Ikwerre ethnic nationality warming up for next year’s governorship election in the state as desperate politicians and called on the people to vote out the PDP.

“Let me thank all of you for coming and I will for the first time give you a little bit of insight into the Rivers State governorship. For those who want to be governor, I will not by law be allowed to be governor again, I have served my two terms, so from next month we just have twelve months to hand over.

“Now what to tell you is what I am now fighting for, to give the Okirika man, the Ogu/Bolo man a voice after we leave office and I can tell you why I say so. If PDP is bringing an Ikwerre man to run for governorship when an Ikwerre man has run for eight years, it means that what PDP is trying to do because Ikwerre has about 1.1 million votes in the four Local Government Areas, then Ikwerre would dominate the governorship of the state. It means that you will never have a chance of being governor again, that’s what it means because the reason for doing that is ‘oh they are claiming we have xyz number of votes in Obio/Akpor, xyz number of votes in Port Harcourt, xyz number of votes in Ikwerre and Emohua, so only Ikwerre people’, if they sit together they can be electing themselves always for governorship and I have told Ikwerre people that that young man whose ambition is blinding him must be thrown out, all Ikwerre people must rise against him and vote for a candidate from another ethnic group.”

“If you people allow him and he succeeds, then forget your children, they will never be governor again because all it will take is when he finishes, another Ikwerre man will say I will run o and go and tell Ikwerre people I’m your son, don’t allow these people take it from me and Ikwerre people will back him, so we must show justice and ensure that it is equitably distributed even if you are one ethnic group of 20,000 persons, you have a right to the governorship of the state.”

“So Ikwerre people have had their turn and I’m an Ikwerre son, my mother is Ikwerre, my father is Ikwerre, I’ve no blood from any other relationship, so Ikwerre people can’t say i am not Ikwerre”.

He said the Ikwerre people and other ethnic nationalities should work together to vote out the supposed Peoples’ Democratic Party governorship aspirant from Ikwerre ethnic nationality for next year’s election.

Amaechi said even the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state would toe the line of justice and fair play not to field any APC governorship candidate from Ikwerre ethnic nationality for the 2015 governorship poll.

“I will not support governorship to go to Ikwerre in APC but as the governor of Rivers State and a frontline member of APC, if I help to ensure that we don’t allow an Ikwerre candidate in APC to allow others to take it, it means that the way to protect yourselves and your children is to vote for that candidate and not for the candidate they are bringing in PDP because Ikwerre cannot govern for another eight years”.

He gave assurance that the access road to Ogu/Bolo would be completed soonest as he promised to mobilize local contractors next week to complete the project and other ongoing projects in the state.

He also pledged to build a new model secondary school in Ogu/Bolo to advance education.

Earlier, High Chief Jonah Tamuno on behalf of Ogu/Bolo Chiefs and elders thanked Governor Amaechi for his inspirational and courageous leadership.

He expressed appreciation that the governor has demonstrated high level of liberality in providing democratic dividends for all Rivers people.

While commending Governor Amaechi, High Chief Tamuno as well as Chief Frederick Anga and Chief Marshall Oforibo Kakaka who gave goodwill messages, assured the governor on behalf of the people of Ogu/Bolo to remain firmly in support of his administration and leadership direction especially as next year’s election approaches.

High Chief Tamuno said, “Our amiable and dynamic Governor, on behalf of the chiefs and the entire people of Ogu/Bolo LGA of Rivers State, we heartily congratulate you on your laudable and tireless efforts to enshrine good governance not only in Rivers State but also in Nigeria through transparency, accountability, respect for rule of law, due process and the strengthening of our public institutions.

“We quite appreciate your dogged implementation of your administration’s blueprint for the overall development of the state and the well-being of the present generation and the next to come.

“We want to seize this medium to express our profound gratitude to you for your kindness and altruistic gesture even as we register our admiration in your uncommon leadership qualities that make your supporters believe that you are indeed a true born leader with vision, mission and the raw courage to bring it to pass on planet earth. We therefore pledge our unflinching loyalty and support to your purpose-driven administration.

“Little did we know that you are gifted in the combined attributes of a liberal and a progressive political icon with an elegant mind; you are indeed noble and magnificent in character, humane and unassuming.

“Your speeches are always laced with lucid and penetrating intellect. Indeed you have protected Rivers state in ways and methods that have not only advanced its fame and nobility but have also transformed the socio-economic and political fortunes of Rivers people. Truly, you are a systematic source of unfading inspiration to your admirers and those who want to emulate your pragmatic leadership style”.

Press Unit
Government House, PH.
April 18, 2014.