He said the state government had misgivings about certain actions of the Federal Government towards the indigenes.
Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said the politics of self interest and greed had put Rivers at the end of national development, saying: “Our doors remain open to a negotiated settlement of the issues within the context of the constitutional relationship between the state and the Federal Government.”
The governor yesterday in Port Harcourt in his New Year broadcast, titled: “2014 – A Year of Promise,” said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not reciprocate his commitment and devotion, but the ruling party was used to undermine Rivers State and erode the peace and order, which he noted his government had worked hard to enthrone, making him to defect to the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said: “As you are aware, recent political developments in and around the state have attracted deserved national attention. Ours is a young democracy. Therefore, when politicians take positions informed by principles, which appear unusual, it becomes a test case for our emerging democratic culture. The recent developments in and around our state are not about me. They are about conflicting interpretations of the Rivers interest. You elected us into office to represent you. That sacred mandate means we have to protect your interests at all times.
“There is no personal quarrel between President Goodluck Jonathan, an illustrious son of the Niger Delta and myself. But the Rivers State government, which we have been privileged to lead, has some misgivings about certain actions of the Federal Government towards Rivers people. As your elected leader, we will be failing in our duties if we do not draw attention to such actions.
“First, we have expended huge resources in executing approved federal projects, such as the Port Harcourt-Owerri Road, without any refund. Second, there is hardly any reasonable federal project ongoing in the state. Work on the Port Harcourt International Airport, a major gateway to the eastern part of the country, has been abandoned.
“Third, the Federal Government has embarked on a reduction of our natural resource endowments. A number of oil wells and gas fields located in the state have been carved out and ceded to neighbouring states, while the resources due from these have also been paid to those states. Fourth, the major industrial and strategic security projects, which were originally slated for location in Rivers State, have been moved to neighbouring states, without even the courtesy of an explanation.
“Fifth, 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.
“Sixth and most importantly, the Federal Government has encouraged the destabilisation of 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 affairs of the state.
“Efforts to reach a peaceful resolution of our differences on these issues have not yielded results.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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When will this man stop talking? Where's the 2014 budget Alhaji? You picked a fight with the FG and now crying when you are dealt a nasty uppercut, didn't you realize all this could happen when you set off the fire? Didn't you envisage you'll be eviscerated by the FG might when you were challenging a sitting president? Why didn't you think of others who have toed that line in the past? BTW, other states didn't take up any 'arms' when their oil wells were ceded to Rivers State did they? Or do you think they were happy or don't know how to 'fight'? No Alhaji, they simply toed a democratic path by restrategizing. No state is bigger than Nigeria Alhaji, no governor's Vice Presidential ambition is greater than Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteAfter realizing his foolish ambition is not even being mentioned in the APC, he's getting sentimental. Now that APC has zoned the presidency to the North, Amaechi's VP's slot has been zoned to the South West, not even the Senate Presidency is zoned to him. He now realized they have used him. A better strategy is to just stay passive till the end of his tenure and quietly exit and never to be heard of again in politics.
ReplyDeleteYou have no personal quarrel but personal political interest that is against his interest as a president and that is against the interest of the south-south region which you belong. My only regret is that this your interest has caused the rivers people great damage. The relocation of major project or non ongoing federal projects in the state is a consequent of your personal interest!. The state is now suffering. You cant eat your cake and have it. States liaise with the federal to attract projects to their domain but at lass, yours is to fight. How can you attract federal presence?. Do you now see what your personnal political ambition has caused us the Rivers people?. Other states are busy getting federa projects through collaboration (which is what maturity in leadership is all about), you are fighting to take them away cos of personal interest and relevance after 2015. This is the harm you have done to Rivers people whom you are fooling. Thank God you have now with your mouth, told us the price we are paying for this your egostic struggle. Please retrace your steps for cannot continue like this. Collaboration with the centre is what we needed instead of fighting against the centre. All the projects were taken away after the commencement of the fight and ca also be returned with new ones upon cessation.that is the best way to go Mr Governor if you REALLY LOVE RIVERS STATE.
ReplyDeleteAlhaji Rotimi had miscalculated big time and he is now in the cold because his northern masters will dump him. Rochas is next
ReplyDeleteReno na u paste all dis write up abi lol we see u under disgise of anon Rotimi ride on peoples govonor we dey ur back and too all pdp wike people God is watchin
ReplyDeleteIt is never too late to retrace ur steps, having realised ur folly. Ur personal ambition will ultimately consume you if you fail to quickly heed to the part of wisdom. May God"s anger never visit if you ask rivers people for forgiveness for am seeing you spiritually, walking the streets of PH in mentally deranged state. The choice is yours to avert God"s anger.
ReplyDeleteWoe unto you oh land when your leader is a child, that is the price Rivers State is paying for having an amateurish, inexperience and overzealous politician like Amaechi as against his more veteran counterparts like Babangida Aliyu, Wamaako, Nyako, Kwanwaso and Lamido.It was a disdainful sight to see a serving Governor in Amaechi dancing " things are getting better" while announcing the " sweeping away" of a south south president who is not protecting "the political interest" of the Zone.
ReplyDeleteUsed and dumped! now he is a dissident and will soon go into political oblivion.
Somebody needs to tell the new found Alhaji Rotimi that you don't fight your leader but tactful negotiations and loyalty can fetch you and your state massive federal presence.
You can always reconcile with the President. Please retrace your steps. You are the governor who vowed that Local Govts. cannot be given financial autonomy by reason of your being the Chairman of governors forum. That is why many of the governors especially Abia State governor, have made the Local Govts. their personal enterprise.
ReplyDeleteyour selfish ambitions is costing our state a colossal fortune. redirect ur wrong betrayer steps and concentrate in d development of our state otherwise shameful disgrace will hit ur face very soon.
ReplyDelete