Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), signed by its President General, Bright Ameawhule, wherein he made disparaging statements about our son and the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON.
The statement titled: “Chief Judge of Rivers State and the contrived crises of succession: Governor Amaechi Rapes the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution in connivance with His Attorney General and the President of the Customary Court of Appeal”, cast unreasonable aspersion on prominent Rivers indigenes, especially Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
The statement is mischievous, blaspheming and strengthens our suspicion that the elements behind the GDI are determined to destabilize our dear state, but Rivers people will resist it.
While we do not want to join issues with the evil driving, volatile and rabble-rousing GDI and its sponsors over the appointment of an acting Chief Judge for the state, we take serious exceptions to abuses poured on Governor Amaechi and his administration.
The kind of words used on the governor clearly shows that the GDI and its sponsors lack home training and are morally bankrupt in thinking and actions.
In the said statement, the group accused Governor Amaechi of trying to cripple the revered judicial arm of government, referred to him as danger to democracy, bereft of ideas and said “the Holy Spirit has departed from him”.
We do not take kindly to these words and wish to state clearly that Governor Amaechi has worked assiduously, more than any of his antagonists, who today are major beneficiaries of his administration.
Perhaps we should advise the GDI to seek God’s forgiveness for the unwarranted crises they have instigated in the state through their sponsors and cohorts.
Rather than say the Holy Spirit has departed from Governor Amaechi, it is actually the GDI and its selfish sponsors that the Holy Spirit has departed from, as all their evil plans to cause chaos manifesting in:
· The incessant arrest and unlawful detention of genuine PDP members in the state.
· Imposition of a kangaroo PDP executive in Rivers State.
· Unleashing of cultists on the Rivers State House of Assembly.
· Connivance with Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu to create a state of insecurity in Rivers state with a view to cause state of emergency.
· The Nigerian Governors’ Forum crisis
· Illegal ceding of Rivers oil wells to Bayelsa State.
· Non refund of funds expended by the Amaechi’s Administration on federal roads in Rivers State.
· Incessant abuses and maligning of elected officials of the Rivers government by occupants of unconstitutional offices among others have failed.
Despite these seemingly daunting challenges, God has continued to sustain Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and indeed Rivers people, given clear indication that the Holy Spirit has not departed from the Governor and the people.
For the records, the achievements of Governor Amaechi do not portray his administration as bereft of ideas.
It is also on record that the leadership of the PDP in Nigeria, led by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo, National Chairman, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the National Assembly, fellow PDP and non-PDP Governors, youths, women, local, national and international organizations have commended Governor Amaechi, a strict observer of the rule of law, as being among the leading lights of Nigeria’s democracy.
While commending the Governor for appointing Justice Peter Agumagu as an Acting Chief Judge in line with the constitution, as we await the confirmation of a substantive Chief Judge by the National Assembly, it is our believe that in the fullness of time, God in His wisdom will determine those “The Holy Spirit had departed from”.
Signed:
HON. IGO AGUMA
Former member, House of Representatives
For: Concerned Rivers Citizens
August 23, 2013
