by Isi Esene

The governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has called to question allegations purportedly made by the chairman of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) accusing him of backing the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Amaechi expressed his opinion in a statement released yesterday by the state commissioner for information, Ibim Semenitari describing the allegations as rather “unfortunate and incongruous.”

Read the statement below:

“The attention of Rivers State Government has been drawn to comments credited to Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, alleging that Governor Rotimi Amaechi is sponsoring All Progressives Congress, APC.

“The Government of Rivers State finds this statement rather unfortunate and incongruous coming from the same person who, only in February, roundly commended Governor Amaechi, describing him as one of the brightest lights of Peoples’ Democratic Party and one of the country’s best performing governors.

“We are certain that Governor Amaechi is still a member of Peoples’ Democratic Party and has remained so despite the shenanigans of unscrupulous persons and the humiliation meted out to his person and office by the party leadership.

“Perhaps we should remind Alhaji Tukur of his own words uttered after two days of exhaustive inspection of the projects undertaken by Amaechi’s administration.

“Tukur had declared, after the visit, that ‘God has given us land, water and people.

‘If you take our people and give them education, a secured environment and sustainability, so that things can keep revolving and evolving, making it a continuous process, that state or nation becomes a developed nation.

‘Without mincing words, since Friday, when I arrived Port Harcourt at noon, I have been inspecting one project or the other till this morning (Saturday). It is very difficult to praise your son because he (Amaechi) is the best for me.’

“Also speaking at a dinner party held in his honour, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur declared that the ‘PDP will never lose to any party if transformational leaders like Governor Amaechi remain behind the party.

“He said ‘Believe me, PDP will never lose to any party, if people like Governor Amaechi stand boldly behind us. We will win and continue to win in any election… support your governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi; support our party, then be sure to win your elections’.

“We are happy to remind Alhaji Tukur that his comments only reiterated what other party leaders like President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Tony Anenih have said about Governor Amaechi and his judicious use of the people’s resources.

“Governor Amaechi’s commitment to Rivers people is unambiguous and unwavering.”