PDP Accused of Fueling Crises in Rivers State

GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Federal Government of being used to undermine the state and erode the peace and order, which his administration had worked so hard to enthrone.

  In a related development, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Austin Opara yesterday gave an insight as to why he is opposed to Amaechi’s leadership style.

   Opara also faulted the governor’s claims that he single-handedly installed him as the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives in the last dispensation.

  The governor also claimed that the Federal Government has actively encouraged the destabilisation of the security in the state through tacit encouragement of the return of militants onto the streets of Port Harcourt and by encouraging the police to play a partisan role in the political affairs of the state.

   Amaechi stated this in a state wide broadcast yesterday, during which he made conscious effort to explain the current political crisis rocking the state and other issues affecting his administration.

   He explained that while he came into office on the platform of the PDP and that the state gave President Goodluck Jonathan the highest number of votes in 2011, the party did not reciprocate the state’s commitment and devotion. PDP Accused of Fueling Crises in Rivers State

  He said instead, the party has been used to undermine Rivers State, stressing that when in a multiparty set up, a political party fails to protect the interests of any section of its membership, it automatically loses the right to command the followership of that section.

  “Those who feel irreparably injured reserve the right to freely switch their loyalty to alternative platforms. The right to change one’s political alignment and allegiance remains one of the fundamental liberties that democracy grants a free people. This is the underlying principle behind our movement to the more progressive APC. We believe that the APC offers a more robust platform for the realisation of the dream of our people for quick even development. In the months ahead, we shall take the message of development under the banner of the APC to our people,” he said.

  Amaechi reiterated that there is no personal quarrel between him and  President Jonathan but that Rivers State government  has some misgivings against certain actions of the Federal Government towards  the state.  He accused the Federal Government of refusing to refund the state the money expended on federal roads, ceding of Rivers State oil and gas wells to neighbouring states.

  “Major industrial and strategic security projects that were originally slated for location in Rivers State have been moved to neighbouring states without even the courtesy of an explanation… there is evidence of discrimination against Rivers State indigenes in key federal appointments. Of all the councils and boards of federal universities and tertiary institutions recently announced, there is hardly any Rivers indigene considered fit to head any of them,” he said.

  He explained that while efforts to reach a peaceful resolution of the state’s differences on these issues have not quite yielded results, the state doors remain open to a negotiated settlement of these issues within the context of the constitutional relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government.

   The governor said he remains committed to the completion of most of the projects he stated in 2007.  He explained that the state has a comprehensive funding and execution schedule for each of its projects.  Though some delays in project implementation have been occasioned by shortfalls in expected receipts from the federation account.

  He said his administration was committed to a painless transition of power to whomever the people may choose to succeed him.  He, however, noted that  as the custodians of the present political order, it is part of his responsibility to work with the people to ensure that the next administration is in a position to align itself with the wishes and aspirations of the Rivers people for quick development.

  Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Opara remarked that Amaechi’s claim underlines the fact that he doesn’t know much of parliamentary procedure in the National Assembly.

  Amaechi had during the convention of Ogbako Ikwere in Omohua local government of Rivers claimed that he persuaded President Jonathan to make Nyeson Wike a minister and also made Opara Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

   Piqued by the claim, Okpara remarked that if there was anybody that has betrayed his benefactors, it was Amaechi ‘who betrayed Peter Odili and the people of Rivers State who entrusted him with their votes’.

  Amaechi further said: “By the grace of God, I made Opara Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. God used me. Prominent politicians met me and told me that there cannot be two captains in a boat, if I make Opara Deputy Speaker, I might not be the political leader in Ikwerre. But I said I want my people to benefit and I picked Opara’s  name and we battled to make him Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2003,” he said.

   But Opara countered saying: “It is unfortunate that a public officer of the status of a governor can make such careless statement of that magnitude.  He was the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. How can a member of the State House of Assembly make a deputy speaker of the House of Representatives? It is a sign of ignorance on how parliamentary procedure works. Amaechi never made me deputy speaker, so the issue of betrayal does not even arise.

   “Presiding officers of the National Assembly are elected on the floor of the House  by members. Amaechi was never a member of the National Assembly so whatever role he claims to have played and he is the only one that knows, does not mean he made me a speaker. I know that Amaechi was one of those who spoke to Peter Odili to support my aspiration. Even at that Odili has never claimed to have made me deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. It is unfortunate that a governor can make such a statement.     Amaechi require our prayers and sympathy. I say so because Odili practically forced me out of the contest for the Rivers State governorship election in favour of Amaechi. Today Amaechi is persecuting and prosecuting Odili,” he said.

   The former deputy speaker said there was no way he would be at peace with Amaechi who had denigrated the office of  the presidency occupied by a fellow citizen from the south-south geo -political zone of the country.

  He added: “It shows that he is not a thorough bred of Ikwere. Which Ikwere man answers Rotimi? Ikwere people respect elders. Amaechi owes Rivers people and Nigerians explanation on why all his personal physicians are psychiatrists because it is our public funds that he is using for whatever treatment he undergoes. No governor in his right senses from the south south will oppose, lampoon and abuse the president the way Amaechi is doing.  No governor in his right senses will abuse the wife of the president the way Amaechi is doing.

   “In Rivers State, we no longer have a legislature, we no longer have a chief judge; the political class is destroyed. Amaechi is an embodiment of betrayal. He is the one who has betrayed Rivers people, the confidence and the votes that they gave him. He owes them apology for the betrayal.”