"Gov Amaechi is already working with APC" - Rivers PDP

The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has said it is in total support of the suspension of Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and accused him of already working with the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.

The party leaders, led by the state party chairman, Felix Obuah, had a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and also apologised to the president for the governor’s actions, which they described as ‘shameful.’

The Obuah led leadership, opposed to Mr. Amaechi, is believed to be sponsored by the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, and the presidency. They were declared the authentic leadership after a court sacked the party leadership loyal to Mr. Amaechi.

Speaking to journalists after Thursday’s meeting, Mr. Obuah said, “We are pained and our heart bleeds today that the main champion of opposition in the country against Mr. President and indeed the Federal Government of Nigeria is our own son, Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.”

“This is indeed shameful. We do not know what has come over the young man. Is it that he wants to destabilize the PDP before his eventual movement to his new party, having been handed over the ACN/APC structure in Rivers State?

“Unfortunately, he has repeatedly rebuffed every effort by us and well meaning Nigerians to make him show remorse and respect for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Mr. President Sir, we sincerely apologize to you and the First Lady on this sad situation,” he added.

Mr. Obuah said residents of Rivers State were not in support of the actions of Mr. Amaechi against the president.

“We appeal that as the saying goes, ‘you do not visit the sin of the father on the son’ and implore your Excellency to remember us in prayers.

“To demonstrate that Rivers people are not with Governor Amaechi in this hostile attitude against Mr. President and our great party, we shall continue to support his suspension from the PDP by the National Working Committee until he retraces his steps from engaging in anti-party activities,” he said.

Mr. Amaechi was suspended from the PDP over what is believed to be his stance on major national issues which conflicts with that of Mr. Jonathan. He was suspended days after emerging as chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum by defeating the candidate supported by the PDP, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau.