I have no quarrel with Jonathan – Amaechi

Governor Rotimi Amaechi and President Goodluck Jonathan

BY: FRIDAY OLOKOR

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has described as a “media creation” the purported rift between him and President Goodluck Jonathan.

“I am not aware that Mr. President and I are quarrelling. As far as I am concerned, we are not quarrelling”, Amaechi told reporters on Thursday in Kano State.

The governor stated this even as he said the planned election into the Nigerian Governors’ Forum was not a do-or-die.

Amaechi was in the ancient city on the invitation of his Kano State counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Amaechi, the NGF chairman said, “Governor Kwankwaso invited me to Kano to come and inspect some of the projects on the ground, and that is why I am here.”

 On the forthcoming NGF election, Amaechi said it was not a do-or-die thing, as he would bow out if not given the chance to continue in that capacity.

He added, “If I am not re-elected as the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, there is nothing to lose, I will still remain a member of the forum, and work towards its success.”

Concerning his posters for the 2015 presidential race, which had appeared in some cities, Amaechi said, “My picture with that of Kano governor as well as Jigawa governor, Sule Lamido; will I be vice-president to both of them?”

Meanwhile, civil rights groups, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice and the Ogoni Solidarity Forum on Thursday in Abuja urged President Goodluck Jonathan to stop muzzling the opposition.

According to them, there is a “gradual attempt to muzzle opposition and human right groups”.

Instead, they asked the Federal Government to learn to tolerate opposing voices since constructive criticism remained the hallmark of democracy.

The Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, and the National Coordinator of OSF, Mr. Celestine Akpobori, at a joint briefing, also pleaded with the judiciary to redeem its image by maintaining its independence and integrity.