by Azubuike Azikiwe

Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has warned the Presidency and spokesperson, Reuben Abati to be careful of threatening him, while also adding that he never made any comments about First Lady, Patience Jonathan.

Amaechi was reported to have stated that the First lady was at war with him over his refusal to part with the state’s funds. Reuben Abati had swiftly issued a rebuttal warning the governor to desist from political rascality and blackmail.

But just when it seemed like the last had been heard on the matter, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Ibim Semenitari released a statment imploring the Presidency and its spokesperson to recognize their limit and not cross their boundary.

Semenitari also added that Amaechi did not utter the statements which were attributed to him, saying, “At no point in his speech did Governor Amaechi make any references” about Patience Jonathan.

“I would want to say that the Presidential Spokesman should be careful for the kind of threats he issues to an elected Governor. He should remember that the President is not a prefect of the governor. He was elected as President just as the Governor was elected as a governor, and Nigeria is a federation.”

“And please, Abati should know his limits and need not attempt to cross his boundries. It is a bit strange to hear the kind of comments coming out of the Presidency and this showed that that statement was already prepared before governor Amaechi spoke.”

“At no point in his speech did Governor Amaechi make any references. His wife was not even discussed because she is not an official of government.

I do not understand where or how Mr. Abati got his story, so we just take it that this is one of those clear indications of rascality with the Presidency trying to call a dog a bad name and hang it.”

Kolapo Olapoju