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Rotimi Amaechi |
Article By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Rivers State CAN’s Apostle of
Peace and 2016 Sun Newspapers Governor of the Year Award Winner, had on 11th February,
2017 granted an interview to Editors of The Sun Newspapers, titled, ‘How I Parted Ways With Amaechi – Governor
Wike...’; with the rider, ‘There won’t be election in 2019’. Wike in his infamous
and ignominious interview had stated: “So
far I am concerned, Amaechi’s eight years as Governor of Rivers State was a
wasted eight years.”
I will not be attending to the issue of if Wike – who supervised
the killings in Rivers State before and after he assumed office as the Governor
of Rivers State – merits Sun’s award or not. Neither am I ready to expiate if
such a character who turned Rivers State to ‘Rivers of blood’ merits the title
offered to him by some elements in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),
Rivers State branch, as an Apostle of Peace. But in few weeks time, I will
attempt to explain to the public the lies contained in the interview by The Sun
Newspapers, against an innocent man like Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the
former governor of Rivers State and incumbent Minister of Transportation of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria by x-raying some sectors of the administration of
Amaechi and allow you the reader to judge.
Let me reiterate that Wike’s assessment of his mentor, boss and
predecessor in office, Amaechi as that of a colossal failure is
laughable, as he, Wike, was not only a part of the engine room of Amaechi’s
administration but a key actor. Coming back to write off an administration
whose impact on the lives of people of Rivers State had been described in some
quarters as the golden age of Rivers State – only comparable to the
administration of Alfred Diete-Spiff, first military administrator of old
Rivers State – is not only an attempt to rewrite a history that is still alive
to most of us, but a very callous, malicious, satanic, wicked, sad and
unfortunate attempt by a mind that needs an immediate health attention.
Because of the much falsehoods, misrepresentation of facts, and
turning facts upside down in order to achieve a devious and sinister agenda,
it behoves on some of us that monitored not only the eight
years administration of Amaechi, but who also worked very closely with Governor
Wike, to straightening the facts and save the general public from the obvious
falsehoods contained in this particular interview.
In carrying out this assiduous task, I am challenged by the
words of Nobel Laureate and renowned author, Prof Wole Soyinka who,
in his famous book, The Man Died, noted: “The man dies in all who keep silent in the
face of tyranny.” And to avoid falling into the trap of late Emperor
Haile Selassie of Ethiopia’s famous words: “Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have
acted, the indifference of those who should have known better, the silence of
the voice of justice when it mattered most that has made it possible for evil
to triumph.” Others who have benefitted so much in Amaechi’s
political sagacity and benevolence may decide to sit on the fence or keep quiet
at this critical time, but I have no choice than to defend a misunderstood man
by some misguided elements, no matter the cost. And in this my latest attempt
to defend and protect the integrity of Amaechi – whose only sin is
that he spearheaded the ouster of a clueless president who supervised the
looting of our common patrimony with impunity and to such a ridicules level
where billions of dollars are housed in the houses of most of
his aides, while the entire nation suffers in abject poverty.
Wike’s unfortunate stand is aptly captured in Psalm 41:9: “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who
ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” And Psalm 55:12-14,
which says: “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, then I could bear
it; nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, then I could
hide myself from him. But it is you, a man my equal, my companion and my
familiar friend; we who had sweet fellowship together, and walked in the house
of God in the throng.” The above biblical quotes cannot find a
better person than what Chief Nyesom Wike, is currently doing to rubbish and
ridicule the personality of ex-governor Rotimi Amaechi, his predecessor,
political mentor and benefactor.
What is happening in Rivers State today could also be captured
in the words of Lucien Bouchard: “I have never known a more vulgar
expression of betrayal and deceit.” According to Malcolm X, “To me the thing that
is worse than death is betrayal. You see, I could conceive death, but I could
not conceive betrayal.” In line with this fact
of life among civilised people and happenings in Rivers State, an illustrious
son of the state and one
time Minister of Petroleum Resources, Prof Tam David-West, aptly described
Amaechi’s “orchestrated travails” as unfortunate, in view of the fact that
Amaechi has worked hard enough in restoring the glory of
Port-Harcourt, also known as the Garden City of Nigeria.
For the avoidance of doubt, I served as a media aide to Wike,
when he acted as the Director General of the Amaechi’s Campaign for his 2011
re-election. It was his position that I should head the Media Team of the
campaign Team, instead of serving as a member of the Media Campaign
Team. As our Director General, I did an article titled; Anya-Neli, in which I profiled
and mentioned his type of politics. And I know that up till now nobody has done
a better article on him than that article. I have to state this fact for the
first time, just because of some of you that will be reading this article and
thinking that I am either judgemental or biased. It is a common fact that most
of Governor Wike’s current aides are not closer to him than me, That was why I
laughed off those wooing me to Wike, so that I can assist him in his present
task of ruining Rivers State, and work against a man who played key role in
shaping our political lives, thinking that I have a price tag at my age.
Having stated this fact let me attend to the truism of this
article, aimed at straightening the facts about the administration of
ex-governor Amaechi. Though it will be foolhardy for anybody to do justice to
the tenure of Amaechi as governor of Rivers State in a single piece but forth
with, on a weekly basis, I will be presenting series of Amaechi’s
administration stories, sector by sector, in order for the reader to understand
the type of politics that Wike is now playing in Rivers State.
Before doing this, let me unequivocally state what Wike’s
statement that Amaechi’s eight years as a Governor of Rivers State was a waste,
entails:
1. It entails that Chief
Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria’s statement on Amaechi’s
administration was false. During his visit to Rivers State, to commission some
projects initiated by the administration of the Governor Amaechi, he
said: “I came to see developments
and I have seen developments, and I will confess developments. What I have seen
is worth declaring. The area of health, education, agriculture, sports and road
infrastructure is worth declaring. When I see development, I ear-mark, eye-mark
and mouth-mark.” Yet, to Wike, Amaechi’s administration was a wasted
years.
2. Wike’s stand also entails that
the conferment on Hon Amaechi, with the prestigious “SERA’s award for his
contributions towards the social development of Rivers State, in line with the
objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), especially in the areas
of health and education” was false. Conferring the award on Amaechi, president
of the Social Enterprise Report and Awards (SERA) jury, Mr Peter Oguaoro, said
the recognition was an indication that there are still good Nigerians who are
contributing to social development in the country.
3. Wike’s stand entails that,
The Archbishop, Province of Niger Delta and Bishop of Niger Delta North
Diocese, Most Rev Ignatius Kattey, who described Amaechi as a leader with
inspiring leadership qualities and benevolence in several areas of human
endeavours was false. According to this great cleric, Amaechi has demonstrated
vision and courage in the leadership of Rivers State, as well as recognised
that government and the church are partners in building the moral, economic and
social well-being of the citizenry. He commended Amaechi for his
infrastructural development in the state, particularly the quest to restore
Port Harcourt to its Garden City state and provision of lasting peace in the
state, and thanked him for the support to the Anglican Church.
4. Wike’s perception entails
that the former President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, who
described the leadership of Amaechi as a focused one was false. Kaunda, who
made the commendation when he paid a courtesy call on the governor at
Government House, Port Harcourt, noted that with the focused leadership of
former Amaechi, Rivers State would continue to be of service to humanity for
many years to come.
5. It entails that the
declaration of Port Harcourt as UNESCO World Book Capital 2014 under Amaechi
was false and misplaced. It would be recalled that UNESCO, moved by the
revolutionary feats of Amaechi in the education sector, crowned Port Harcourt
the 2014 World Book Capital City in April 2014, beating 10 other great cities
that include Oxford in England and Moscow in Russia. For this to be achieved,
against all odds and challenges, simply demonstrates that Amaechi was a
visionary and focused leader who has received accolades in this regard by world
leaders, while to a little-minded fellow and a local champion like Wike,
Amaechi’s eight years was a wasted years! Port Harcourt’s reign as
World Book Capital 2014 began with the handover by Bangkok at an impressive
ceremony at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt. Dignitaries at the event
included Amaechi, former head of state, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar; Prof Wole
Soyinka; UNESCO Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova; former World Bank
Vice-President, Africa, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, wife of the former governor,
Dame Judith Amaechi, among others. This feat of Port Harcourt in becoming the
first African city south of the Sahara to be chosen as World Book Capital,
based on public voting, beating 10 other great cities, is commendable.
6. It entails that Port
Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, playing a historic role when it hosted
the US-Nigeria Bilateral Commission on October 16 and 17, 2012, thereby
becoming the first city outside the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to do so.
This event is a top bill in international rating and the strategic relevance of
the Gulf of Guinea area makes the meeting in Port Harcourt even more important.
The United States Deputy Secretary of State and two Assistant Secretaries led
the US delegation. On the side of Nigeria, the US-Nigeria Bilateral Commission
is viewed with seriousness, especially by the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF),
led by Amaechi. His administration has, in addition, promoted overall United
Nations activities in the South-South geo-political zone, through the provision
of an outstanding facility that can house over 15 UN agencies in Port Harcourt.
As a result, there are five UN agencies in Rivers State at the moment; and more
are expected to follow in due course. To Wike, who have turned Rivers State to
‘Rivers of blood’, Amaechi’s tenure was wasted years.
7. Wike’s words entail
disapproval of the construction – by the Amaechi administration in the
educational development of Rivers State – of new 20-classroom-blocks model
primary school, to commemorate the status of Port Harcourt as the current World
Book Capital. Known as World Capital City Model Primary School, the edifice is
located in Port Harcourt metropolis, and was already furnished and operational
with commencement of classes for the 2014/2015 school year. In addition to classrooms
and teachers’ offices, the model school is equipped with state-of-the-art
facilities such as demonstration science laboratory, library, ICT, sick-bays
and reception class. The former commissioner of education stated that
construction of the 20-classroom blocks was necessitated to address the issue
of out-of-school children in the state. The state government embarked on this
project to ensure that every child in the state has easy access to the free
education policy of the Amaechi-led administration. The project is in line with
the Education for All (EFA) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) vision of
providing access to all children of school age by the year 2015. Samples of the
20-classroom blocks are built in all the 23 local government areas of the
state, which include demonstration science laboratories aimed at giving
children the opportunity to visualise what they are being taught in class. The
introduction of laboratories is in line with the new national curriculum, which
allows children from four years and above to be exposed to science education
early, so as to better understand science courses in the future. The
demonstration class is where the teacher demonstrates for the pupils what they
are learning. It makes teaching and learning easier for both the teacher and
pupils.
8. Wike’s position also
entails that the visit by former President Obasanjo, who embarked on a two-day
visit to Rivers State, to commission some landmark projects executed by Amaechi
during his six years’ historical and revolutionary administration in the state;
described some of the structures of education in Rivers as mind-boggling. The
former president was so elated and astonished by the type of world-class
projects he was asked to commission, particularly the Ambassador Nne Kurubo
Model Secondary School at Ebube, Eleme – one of the 24 model secondary schools
scattered all over the 23 local government areas of the state – which tops most
of the universities in Nigeria in areas of facilities, structures and landmass.
The former president shouted while addressing the Rivers State people in the
assembly edifice of the school, saying that the k-leg of then Governor Amaechi
has been straightened. Recall that President Obasanjo denied Amaechi the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket in 2007, after winning the
primaries of the party, until the Supreme Court reinstated Amaechi ‘as the duly
elected governor of Rivers State.’ Obasanjo went further to hail Amaechi for
his administration’s developmental strides. He stated: “I came to see
developments and I have seen developments and I will confess developments. What
I have seen is worth declaring! The area of health, education, agriculture,
sports and road infrastructure is worth declaring. When I see development, I ear-mark,
eye-mark and mouth-mark.”
9. President Muhammadu Buhari
in a statement during his visit to Rivers State on November 5, 2013, described
Amaechi as a hero and a great leader: “PDP decided to target some governors
that are progressives and we feel will make a difference. We seek your support
through Amaechi. I lived in Port Harcourt during my military career. I was a
Staff Officer to Gen (Theophilus) Danjuma in 1973. Rivers State has produced
great men such as Prof Tam David West. 2015 will be another watershed in
Nigeria. Amaechi is a great leader. We decided to come together to save Nigeria
from mis-governance. We must come together and make Nigeria move forward.
Amaechi has given Rivers people responsible leadership. The schools he has built
will give Rivers children a better tomorrow, while women and children
stand to benefit from the standard health centres he has built. He has also
carried out physical rehabilitation of infrastructures in the state. People
like Amaechi should join the All Progressives Congress (APC) to move Nigeria
forward.” This was the major sin of Amaechi against Wike and his misguided
supporters.
10. Wike’s stand cancels the commendation by the
United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) of Amaechi, for the strides
recorded by his administration in the health and education sectors. Country
Representative of UNICEF, Ibrahima Fall, who described as tremendous the
progress made in these sectors, noted: “This is the most exciting news for
every mother, for every child and for every family in Rivers State.”
11. Wike’s stand entails that the former Israeli
Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert was wrong when he made the following statement:
“The impression that I always get when I come to Africa is that these countries
have enormous potential, and your country and your state (Rivers) have enormous
potential and I think that you happen to have at this time in history also, a
dynamic, energetic and capable leadership that can make the dreams of building
up the state into a reality of life for the 5.1 million residents in Rivers
State that want their lives to be of much higher and greater quality.”
12. In extolling this great revolutionist, the United
States’ Consul-General in Lagos, Mr Jeffrey Hawkins, told journalists: “I must
commend Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State for embarking on numerous
people-oriented projects and showing enthusiasm on Niger Delta issues. We are
very appreciative of all that Amaechi has done. We are quite clear that
addressing the issues of the Niger Delta, the challenges require focusing on
things like education development, agriculture, health, all sorts of issues.
And the governor was kind enough to show us, on the ground, some of the
projects the government of Rivers State is working on, so we are very deeply
appreciative of his support.”
13. Wike’s interview entails that his new revelation
in a recent ceremony contradicts himself about Amaechi’s; feats when he stated:
“How can Amaechi build polytechnics and call them Model Secondary Schools? I
will convert that of Saakpenwa to a polytechnic.”
14. Wike’s satanic stand entails that The Sun
Newspaper’s Man of the Year Award in 2007 and the Compass Newspaper Award for
Security in 2008; Governor of the year 2009, “Award for Leadership, Award for
Excellence – 2009” chaired by former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar
(retd), in Abuja were all flukes.
15. It entails that the remarks by former President
Jonathan while on inspection tour of the Port Harcourt – Owerri Road, constructed by the administration of Amaechi
that, “the several road networks embarked upon by the Rivers State Government
and the monorail transport system planned by the government has significantly
shown that the state is moving ahead. Besides the road network, I want to
commend Governor Amaechi on the three major projects, the quality of primary
and secondary schools that we saw, as well as the power project that would aid
small business enterprises.”
16. It entails as false, the remarks by the former
Governor Shekarau of Kano State: “I feel highly fulfilled by coming here today
to hear and see the dividends of democracy, as I urge Governor Amaechi to build
more of such schools which he described as vehicle for change. But for time, I
would have borrowed a leaf from Amaechi by replicating the quality of schools I
have seen here in his State.”
17. It entails as untrue, the statement credited to
the former Governor of the old Rivers State, from 1967 and currently, the
Amayanabo of Toun Brass, Bayelsa State: “Yes, I am attributed to be the father
of the old Rivers State but, without sounding immodest, let me reiterate that
Governor Amaechi can be described as the builder of the modern Rivers State, if
all the infrastructure he has put in are anything to go by. I am so proud of
his feats and if he continues like this, Rivers State will be a pride to all
Nigerians.”
18. That the invitation to Amaechi – as one
of the three high profile speakers at the Commonwealth Observance Day held at
the Westminster Abbey, London, because of what was described as his “incredible
achievements at the national level, personal commitment to policies that
encourage enterprise and create opportunity and not least his personal
engagement” – was a fluke.
Wike’s major feats
1. The 13,000 teachers employed by the
administration of Amaechi were not only denied their salaries for months but were
later sacked by Wike. The Rivers State indigenes offered foreign scholarship by
Amaechi’s administration to study various courses to boost the future of Rivers
State were not only recalled but Wike threatened to deal with them.
2. He turned most of the schools built
by Amaechi into hideouts for criminals, and reverted pupils and students to
schools already discarded.
3. Amaechi’s free scholarship scheme
to the people of Rivers State from primary to university level was maliciously
uprooted and stopped by the Wike’s administration.
Amaechi’s ‘Rivers of peace’ vs Wike’s
‘Rivers of blood’ where human life no longer count
1. The result of the peaceful state of
Rivers State under the watch of Governor Amaechi resulted not only in
attracting foreign investments that Port Harcourt became the haven of both
international and national championships. Apart from hosting one of the
best-organised National Sports Festivals ever in Nigeria, the School Sports and
the Police Games by March 2013. Port Harcourt, apart from Abuja and probably
Lagos was the only state to have hosted US-Nigeria biennial National
Conference, Pan African Parliamentary, Garden City Literary Festival, hosted
CARNRIV involving several foreign countries to showcase the rich culture, potentials
and beauty of her people; the second Dr Claude Ake Memorial Lecture, Rivers
State Investment Forum and Governor’s Interactive Session with Rivers State
Youths.
2. Apart from the above, other major
events hosted by Rivers State under Amaechi’s watch include the ION Film
Festival where the world’s best film producers were feted with the hospitality
of Rivers State; Miss ECOWAS Pageant, Garden City Literary Festival, Guild of
Editors, Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP); a trade delegation from the
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on an enlightenment mission
for private companies within the South-south zone, on how to access business
opportunities available within the ECOWAS sub region, among many other major
events hosted by the Rivers State Government.
3. While under Wike’s watch,
International organizations, corporations and Intuitions in Rivers State are
relocating to Lagos because of insecurity in the State.
Finally, I laughed when Wike and his funny companions presented
the following issues – in which he worked assiduously against during the sad
regime of Dr Goodluck Jonathan – before the Federal Government, during the
visit of the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Prof Osinbajo:
1. Soku Oil Wells must be restored back to Rivers State
2. East-West Road needs to be attended to
3. Development of the Niger Delta
4. Clean-up of the Ogoni oil spill
5. Legalisation of bunkering and refining
6. Synergy between Rivers PDP and APC national
7. Peace and unity in Rivers State.
Thanks to the Acting President, Prof
Osibanjo who assured that these issues that Wike collaborated with former
President Jonathan to deny the Niger Delta region will be tackled by the
President Buhari’s administration
Conclusion
I hope that I have succeeded to expose
the lies in Wike’s wicked interview and can comfortably state that Amaechi’s
eight years was not wasted but can be described as the golden age of governance
in Rivers State
As I stated earlier, I can’t in one
piece state who Amaechi is or what he achieved for Rivers State during his
eight years rule, but will kick-start the series of Amaechi’s feats in the area
of education by next week, pick up the health sector, agriculture, security and
other sectors in that order. I will also assist the public by throwing light on
the ‘Rivers of blood and Apostle of Peace’, as well as Wike and his betrayal
mission against Amaechi.
Let me conclude this treatise by
quoting Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo: “Ameachi is also a man of big ideas and
very insightful; he understands how to live long in the hearts of men. His
education policies in Rivers State, and all of those children he gave real hope
and opportunity ensures that he will always be remembered long after he left
this earth.”