The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly and the state gubernational flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has been described as a detribalised Rivers man whose leadership traits and antecedents are exemplary.
Rumour mongers and fifth columnists have therefore been advised to desist from peddling vicious rumours against the PDP’s flagbearer who emerged victorious in a free and fair party primaries.
Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, some PDP Chieftains in the state said they would resist any attempt to tamper with Amaechi’s candidacy.
One of the chieftains, Mr. Dakuku Peterside said no reasonable and right-thinking Riversman would call for the disqualification of Amaechi, as the flagbearer’s popularity cuts across ethnic nationalities in the state.
Describing Amaechi as a credible, honest and tested young man , Mr. Peterside who is also the president of Vanguard of Opobo Kingdom, said the Ijaws in the state were solidly behind Amaechi.
He warned detractors to steer clear from re-introducing Riverine-upland politics which, according to him had divided Rivers people in the past.
The VON president described newspaper reports as purported Amaechi’s disqualification as not only unfounded but malicious and condemnable.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Comerce and Industry, Mr. Elemchukwu Ogbowu stated that equity, fairness and justice demand that another senatorial district should produce the flagbearer as the incumbent governor hails from Rivers West while Amaechi is of Rivers East.
Other PDP chieftain ,who attended the press briefing also spoke in favour of Amaechi’s candidature and urged Rivers people to support him.
