The Rivers State Government issued a statement saying its governor, Amaechi has been arrested and being held hostage by security operatives in Odudu, Ondo state.
Amaechi was arrested as he made his way to Ado-Ekiti for the political rally of Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi.
According to a statement by Ibim Semenitari, Commissioner of Information and Communications stated that the Rivers state Government is concerned about the safety of Governor Amaechi.
“The safety of Governor Amaechi who is right now being held hostage commando style by soldiers and federal government security agents in Odudu, Ondo state.
“Governor Amaechi as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ forum and as an APC governor and chieftain had left Port Harcourt this morning for Ekiti state where he was to join his brother governor in his last mega rally before the elections.
“Governor Amaechi was ambushed and refused entry into Ekiti by military personnel acting on orders from above. He made to turn back and return to Akure where his chattered aircraft was parked but was chased and rounded by armed soldiers and security personnel in Odudu, Ondo state.
The statement said: “According to the captain who led the operation, he had orders not to allow the governor entry or exit. In the meantime, the chattered aircraft that conveyed he governor has been grounded while the minsters of Defence, police Affairs and Minister of state for Defence have landed the Akure airport.
“The Rivers State government is especially worried that Federal government and President Jonathan have singled out Governor Amaechi for harassment and attack.
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| Amaechi blocked by soldiers, photo by Nwaorgu Faustinus |
“While we hold the person and office of the President in utmost regards, we believe that it is unacceptable that the presidency would disrespect the person and office of an elected governor of a federating unit and consistently hound him.
“The Rivers state government is all more worried as Ondo saga is coming on the heels of a plot by six PDP lawmakers this morning to carry out a kangaroo impeachment of the duly elected governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, con first at Krisdara hotels and later Bauchi street, Port Harcourt.
“Ordinarily such banality should be ignored as it neither is legal nor constitutional. However in the light of the recent attempts to hoist a Chief Judge on Rivers people through the back door and the attendant rumours that the reason for that desperate act was to make it easier for the PDP to actualize its sinister daydream of ousting Governor Amaechi before May 29, 2015, we believe that it has become necessary to draw the attention of Rivers people, Nigerians and the international community to the situation in Rivers State.
“Only yesterday, in preparation for this tragicomedy, the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused Governor Amaechi of importing terrorists into the state and the region. They continued their diatribe by demanding that the governor of Rivers State be put under surveillance.
“The State Government wouldn’t have dignified the PDP’s display of ignorance with a response but for the fact that these accusations coupled with today’s actions are omniuos signs of how far the PDP is willing to go in its quest to cling onto power by all means.
“The antecedents of impunity on the part of the leadership of the PDP are instructive and the party’s desperation to harm and stop anyone they perceive as major threat to their crumpling electoral fortunes next year is no longer news. The detention attempt and incident at the Kano International Airport last week are still fresh in the minds of Nigerians.
“Also, the call to put Gov Amaechi under surveillance (or is it house arrest?) on the same day that PDP started effort to unseat the Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency, Murtala Nyako, is enough indication of the script already written by a jittery PDP
It is sad that the insane minds of the authors of the PDP accusation are jeopardizing police investigations of the 486 travellers who were intercepted in Aba, Abia State, and who are still being screened. One only wishes that the PDP would address the issues of the insecurity in the country with as much fervor and vigour as it deploys towards witch hunting its political opponents.
“The River Government wishes to state that the world knows those who feather the nest of cultists and militants and for whom they are canon fodder. Governor Amaechi’s position on cultisim, violence and insecurity are clear as is his commitment to fighting poverty and improving the lives of our present and future generations.
The Rivers State Government will not be deterred in its efforts to deliver good governance and ddemocratic dividends to our people.
We appeal to all Rivers people appeals to all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and citizens in the state to remain calm in the face of these provocations.
“We call on the Security Agencies to exhibit professionalism in their conduct of affairs. We appeal to all well meaning people in Nigeria and around the world to please call the PDP to order before they truncate our democracy.
UPDATE:
The Rivers state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who was barred from travelling to Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, for a political rally and then detained for over an hour by a detachment of soldiers, has been released.
“They have finally released him and he is currently on his way to Akure airport,” an aide of the governor said. “But as he travelled, the soldiers are following him behind.”
After the governor arrived the airport in Akure, he found that his plane had been impounded. “He is currently stranded in Akure and it is not clear whether he and his entourage will be able to secure space in a commercial plane.”
The Rivers State Government had issued a statement saying Mr. Amaechi, was arrested and held hostage by security operatives in Odudu, Ondo state.
The governor, the statement said, was arrested as he made his way to Ado-Ekiti for a political rally by his Ekiti State counterpart, Kayode Fayemi.
“It appears to us that the PDP clearly have no interest in the peace and stability either Rivers state.
“We are mindful of these mischievous elements but continue to call for tolerance and eternal vigilance. We are certain that the God who reigns in the affairs of Rivers people will again deliver us from this evil and terror that stalks us at noon day. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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This is absurb!! How can a dully elected governor be 'chased' or otherwise 'up and down'? What did they(politicians) wanted to turn this country to because of their hunger for power and dominants?
ReplyDeleteEven though your office is the highest in the land, must you display your immaturity in handling things? or are you God that you can not be offended?
Both party should have it in mind that only God gives and take as he wishes, so who are you, an ordinal mortal trying to dictates someone fate?
Am ready for you (those anonymous moron) with your bias comments.
Is this a paid announcement? We that r not politicians see the reporter as one of the PDP opposition bcos d report isn't balanced. Its one sided.
ReplyDeleteamaechi stop disgracing river pple ever day arest.d other was at kano to day ondo.next is to kill u.
ReplyDeleteAmechi and Oshemole is a very big disgrace to South South and South East
ReplyDeleteJonathan has clearly lost his mind!
ReplyDeletetrully GEJ is a crazy man, ? Ar u doin dis to Amechi,take time gudluk
ReplyDeleteAs a matter of fact,dis PDP n APC are not considerirng d masses dey claim 2 govern,wat r dey expecting from us now, 2015 is yet to arrive n all dis r happening....my dear my advice to u my brothers n sisters who r not politicians like me is to stay clear n watch like America movie....may God help us in dis country..Amen.
ReplyDeleteYeah Totally lost is Mind going by this report and if true,definitely he has lost it. No Matter what, nobody MoveMent should be restricted for what? Unless he or she had committed a crime! aren't we in a demOcratic dispensation? Abacha awarded his son freed of his crimes, alams pardoned,alMustapha released, Oodua not prosecuted to know whether she's guilty or not, nothing is heard about the pension thief again now court bars rep from prosecuting madueke Allison! Which way Nigeria?
ReplyDeleteMark
Jonathan believes he has the top brass of the military in his pocket that he can use them to unleash impunity on the opposition. Let him also be told that a crop of middle cadre officers, who joined the army for political rather than professional military ambition, are watching and waiting for the right time to strike. 2015 general selections may not hold afterall.
ReplyDeleteNemesis
ReplyDeletegej is completely confussed,he is now behaving like a “mad dog“. It‘s really a pity to have such inxperienced and “OLODO“ as a leader,indeed,it‘s really a pity.
ReplyDeleteOgogoro has completely weaking gej‘s brain, he now think negative. I really pity nigerians.
ReplyDeleteAll Past Criminals(APC) una rally no dey finish ni? I think this wl be the 2rd or the 3rd term u people wl be visiting this state what did u lost in ekiti that u are looking for? Criminals gentility of a rat is to thief fish
ReplyDeleteAmaechi , now na mornin. U abandon ur duty post ,today u ar kano,tomrw lagos ur father land,then akure, adamawa etc, u are confused really. U go cry oooo wait small and see.wastin our resources here an there,all ur candidiate failed in de last APC national convention. ..kupapa
ReplyDeleteOnly God knws what will happen in 2015. Amaechi have sold rivvers state 2 the northerners. Instead of him coniving with Goodluck he's going to merge with the northerners that will finally betray him.
ReplyDeleteGEJ is the HOD of nigeria bt I tink he has lost his mind, he shld nt fight for power by force. I dnt ve confidence in him bt he shld let pple JUDGE, he is power DRUNK like a typical Niger-Delter person.
ReplyDeleteAmaechi and the likes should know that they are causing problem in thid country. Are they voters? Why cant they simply obey orders and stay away? Did they see pdp governors in Ekiti while they were prevented? How can a governor always be on pages of newspaper rather than on govt functiond or govt house. Too shamefull.
ReplyDeleteAmechi today your in kano tomorrow sokoto next tomorrow adamawa what is your problem can't you stay in your place?
ReplyDeletedont forget he is d ngf chairman....so he has right to wide consultation
DeleteAre u people not aware that no one is permitted to travel to Ekiti state 24hrs to d election???. Is Amaechi above d law? Is he going there as an electoral observer or what?. Amaechi ought to be put under survellance becoz he is d one importing d northern harams to Rivers state to cause mayhem. All of us here should be aware that there are more classified information available to presidency than us, so u ill-informed people should stop dragging the president name to d mould
ReplyDeleteThursday to Saturday, counts 48 hrs. What exactly are calculations to think the governor flouted the law. Was GEJ and his cohorst not in Ekiti to campain and drum for suport for their candidate? Did you hear Akpabios speech on that campain day? What about that made by the PDP national chair n Ekiti state chair? Try to reason carefully before you criticise. Else, you'll only end up a bad drunk like the people you drum suport for.
DeleteHey Mr foolish anonymous 8.50...did u read the part of the article that said while amaechi was detained...the convoys of the minister of state for defence and that of the minister of police affairs passed that same road while amaechi was detained?...what kind of fool are u?
DeleteAs far as i am concerned, all these governor(PDP, APC etc) travelling up and down for political rallies are wasting our resources, not considering the plight of the masses that voted them in. They should be disqualified from holding political positions.
ReplyDeletehahahahahahahah am laughing in Spanish! I thought they said GEJ is a president without balls and blablabla. Amechi whatever you sow that shall you reap! Rivers people are clearly not with you, you are fighting everyone in rivers state and who are the Rivers people you are calling again. foolish man.
ReplyDeleteAmeachi may be fighting his own political intrest, but you rivers people are as lazy as something else and always ready to lick from the oil they don't how it came about. You will only end a waste leader should you be given any oportunity. I believe you won't be speaking this way had, Ameachi could you and appointed u a personal assistance to one parastatal. You are the most stupid person for not knowing how to trade your right.
DeleteJonathan only has soldiers and police who can harass innocent people, but has none to harass Boko Haram.
ReplyDeleteWhat is our country turning into must such thing happen in this country,u pple shouldn't make God to forsake Nigeria ohhh.
ReplyDeleteWhy Ameachi Every time? Leaders should lead by example? Is Ameachi going there to cast a vote? If he is there and he is attacked by hoodlums he will still turn round to blame the security officials.Ameachi, Ameachi, Ameachi! Are you the only governor in Nigeria?
ReplyDeleteIf this is the dividends of democracy then I with open hands welcome the Kharki boys on the seat in Abuja. I have not seen any iota of maturity in these present day politicians to warrant their continual and deliberate deceit of gullible electorates who are constantly raped and abused of their rights. PLEASE THE WORST MILITARY REGIME IS BETTER THAN THIS KIND OF DEMOCRACY.
ReplyDeleteGood GEJ you have started showing them the power conferred on you. Stupid Amechi or Amoca claim to be governor can not stay in his state to perform his duty for his people. But busy going around formatting problem. what so ever his looking for in this world, he will never have it, if he did not repent from his satanic deal against GEJ. God will punish u Amuchi or Amechi as u called that ur name. Pls leave GEJ alone
ReplyDeleteI wonder what our nation is turning into. Is there no freedom of movement anymore. Why not allow every to carry out his/her daily activities. Or do you intend to resurrect coup planting again? Please know that when two elephants fight, the grasses suffer. Think of the poor masses. Nigeria is our homeland and we must do everything possible to protect it. One love, peace for all.
ReplyDeleteGood, crazy governors should be showed their status
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous 7:19 PM tell me what your darling GEJ has done for the people of South South and South East? Your bias comment cannot lead this country anywhere. Today, it's Amechi and Oshiomole who were stopped by soldiers for no genuine reason, tomorrow, it may be you that will be stopped from going to your village by the police for no just cause, I hope it will still be okay by you. There is freedom of movement and association enshrined in our constitution and our baby president who swore to uphold that constitution is the one violating it today. May God help Nigeria. Diaris God, chai, diaris God ooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh!
ReplyDeletethank u jare....some people think wt their legs
DeleteYou honestly fail your brother in power,, dishonesty,,, better plead to president ooh if not obj them go forget you there ooh
ReplyDeletenothing was wrong about ameachi to apc rally in coz gej also do it for pdp governors.
ReplyDeleteD seed politicians are planting now will grow in 10yrs time just like the seed of militancy and boko haram. I regret being a nigerian cos my hrt bleeds at d events in dis country. Just came back from germany and I wonder if d heaven bible promised is in europe. Cos dis naija seems to be d hail for sinners. Well my pastor once said that "position does not change a person rather it magnifies who d person really is on d inside. I don't belong to any party. I am totally disgusted by d events happening. I justy pity my children and what niaja will become in their time. Politicians change party like raper. Hisssssssss
ReplyDeleteThis story is one sided give us the hole details soldiers can not just stop a governor something must be wrong
ReplyDeletePrediction for all. 2015 election will lead us to chaos and almost division of that country before the young military boys take over. Corrupt politician will be arrested and executed. They will bring about a true national conference and the constitution will be rewritten. I do not see how 2015 election could be anything but what US CIA analysis has predicted. The CIA analysis is 90% on target. Goodluck to Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteso ameaqchi again
ReplyDelete