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| Governor, Chibuike Amaechi |
* Wike alleges plot to circulate his posters for Rivers
governor
By: Ernest Chinwo
Chiefs and elders of Kalabari Kingdom in Rivers State have
offered to mediate in the political feud between the state Governor, Chibuike
Amaechi and President Goodluck Jonathan.
This came as the Minister of State for Education, Chief
Nyesom Wike, alleged that there were plans by officials of the state government
to circulate fake posters to create the impression that he wanted to run for
the office of governor of the state in the 2015 elections.
The Kalabari chiefs, who paid Amaechi solidarity visit at Government
House, Port Harcourt, Tuesday, noted that despite denials by both leaders,
there were misunderstandings between the two sons of the
Niger Delta which should be resolved.
The delegation was led by the representative of the
Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, Prof. Theophilus Princewill; the Amayanabo of
Abonnema, Mr. Disrael Bobmanuel.
In an address read by Chief Sekinte Davis, on behalf of the
people, they expressed their avid support for the governor and pledged to stand
by him in his current travails.
They said: “At certain times in the life of a man, the
public
expression of the love, goodwill, admiration and support of
friends and relatives may be highly desirable. For us as Kalabari people, this
is a good time to show our solidarity with our son, brother, friend and
governor. The Kalabari people as an ethnic nationality would continue to work
with you. We pledge our loyalty and unflinching support to Your Excellency’s
(Amaechi’s) administration.”
They praised Amaechi for his laudable achievements so far in
the Kalabari area and the state generally. They congratulated him on his
re-election as the Chairman of the Nigeria, Governors’ Forum (NGF).
They said: “May we use this opportunity to thank Your
Excellency for the swiftness and persistence with which you have been committed
to this battle to restore Soku and other Kalabari communities to the Kalabari
Kingdom. It would be apposite, in the same vein, to join other men and women of
goodwill resident in the state to tender our gratitude to you for the growth
and development in the core areas which your administration is focused on.
“The investments in health, particularly primary healthcare;
in education, infrastructure, enhancing the capacity of teachers, and quality
assurance and in agriculture, especially fish farming, compel us to say thank
you.
“It would be an oversight not to thank you for sending our
children to study abroad under generous scholarships. Neither would we fail to
say thank you for our brothers in various positions of responsibility
especially the Hon Otelemaba Dan Amachree, the speaker of the state
House of Assembly” in whom we are well pleased.
“He has maintained the principle of separation of powers
while aligning the making of good laws to a shared vision for development. It
is our hope that the confidence you have reposed in them will take you all to
the finishing line.
“For us as Kalabari people, we can confidently say that
despite all odds, you have provided visionary and purposeful leadership for the
state. We cannot pretend that your administration has delivered on its mandate.
We align with all your pro-people initiatives and express our unalloyed support
to your administration. We will stand with you at all times.”
They offered to arbitrate in any political misunderstanding
the governor might have had with other Nigerians and appealed for peace in the
state.
Meanwhile, Wike, in a statement issued Tuesday by his
Special Assistant (Media), Simeon Nwakaudu, alleged that some officials of the
state had plotted to print and circulate his posters to create the impression
that he had declared for the 2015 governorship election for the state.
The statement said: “We want to categorically declare that
this is an orchestrated evil plot by these political mercenaries aimed at
presenting the Minister of State for Education as an over-ambitious politician.
The fundamental aim of this plot is to create the impression that the minister
is flouting the directive on the ban of 2015 political campaigns by the
Independent National Electoral
Commission, (INEC).”
The statement called on the public to disregard the posters
when they do appear as they did not emanate from Wike.
“We urge members of the public to disregard these posters,
if and when they are circulated, because they are the handiwork of sinking and
desperate politicians who are bent on circulating false information to over-heat
the polity.
“We wish to state that regardless of the blackmail tactics
of these officials of the Rivers State Government, the Honourable Minister of
State for Education remains committed to the Transformation Agenda of President
Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR). The minister is totally focused on delivering on the
responsibilities assigned to him by the administration to develop the nation’s
basic education sector,” the statement said.
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