"Thank you for leading us to the All Progressives Congress," Abe hails AMAECHI

The embattled Senator representing the Rivers South East senatorial district of oil-rich Rivers State has showered encomiums on his former boss and leader of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON.

The Senator made these statements during the visit of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to the State last year, on a regional visit to interact with Stakeholders with a view to enthroning lasting peace and economic prosperity in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large.

The Vice President, accompanied by the Minister of Transportation, and many other key Federal Government delegation, had earlier had a Stakeholders meeting that was held in the comfort of the Rivers State Government house where members of the All Progressives Congress were shut out of the meeting. Dissatisfied with the development, the Minister of Transportation prevailed on the Vice President to spend some more time in order to listen to those that had been shut out of the discussion.

Responding when asked to comment, the Rivers South-East Senator, blasted Gov. Wike for falsifying information and for not having the posture of peace.

He said,

"Your Excellency, I want to thank you for coming here today, because if you did not come here, you will not know that this number of Rivers people were shamelessly excluded from what happened yesterday. Let me also say, that we associate ourselves with every position that was expressed, that is in the interest of the Niger Delta, both in Government House and anywhere in the Niger Delta that such positions are stated.

They are not different from the things we have been saying for years. In this Niger Delta sir, there is a clear attempt to mark those of us who are members of the All Progressives Congress, as if we have committed treason by joining this party. But this party is registered under the laws of the federal republic of Nigeria, and we have a constitutional right, to belong to any political association of our choice.

And on behalf the people of Rivers State, I publicly want to thank our leader, the right the honorable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for leading us into the All Progressives Congress, because that is where the future of Nigeria lies, and because you Sir, you are a member of the APC.

Yesterday, we put up our banners to welcome you to this state; a leading member of the PDP had the boldness and the effrontery to go to banners of the APC welcoming you to Rivers State to physically pull them down! We have reported that to the Nigerian Police, we believe that action must be taken so that the impunity that existed before can no longer exist under this administration.

Let me say very clearly sir that we are very happy that you are here. The problems of the Niger Delta, we have articulated them over time. A lot of what was been said yesterday are the things we were saying, many years ago, and for which we almost lost our lives. We are happy that today we can live to hear these same people come and talk about Soku oil well, come and talk about, Port Harcourt International Airport, come and talk about, helicopters and all the things we have been talking about, it just shows that we should all be careful, because nobody knows what the future will bring.

Having said that Sir, let me finally say that for us here, you can count on us, we have already exhibited every action that we can take to get our people to understand the importance of the environment. To get our people to understand the importance of working with the Federal government, so that this area will be peaceful, and so that there can be progress and prosperity in our own lives. Your Excellency, I am from Ogoni, yesterday when they were talking about Ogoni, the governor started by blaming the Federal government for the things that have not been done, but he failed to acknowledge, that the UNEP report on Ogoni land was submitted six years ago, and that in one year, this government has done more than any other previous government to address the challenges of the report. A lot of issues that were canvassed yesterday were totally unrelated, to the problems of the Niger Delta.

When somebody gets up to say, that Police cannot bring money, and put on the table, and say that it was paid by the governor, Police did not say so. The investigation report proved conclusively, that that was something that was done, by those that we have given our trust to, in this state, their voices were on air, nobody made any attempts to set up anybody, it is the report of a police investigation, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with the challenges of the Niger delta. Police should conclude whatever reports it is doing, and carry out its constitutional duties.

Those who want peace in our state, should learn to respect those who have contributed to the State. The former Governor of Rivers State was seated there, and the present governor could not even acknowledge his predecessor, in office, his Boss!

Is that the action of people who want unity?” The crowd responded, “NO!”

“is that the action of people who want peace?” the crowd responded again, “NO!”

“is that the action of people who want Rivers State to move forward?” the crowd responded again,

“NO!”