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I was quite busy with a few key programmes on Friday, April 6, 2018. Therefore, it was impossible for me to closely follow the unfolding message by the good people of Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area to the immediate past failed Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
When I retired home last night and engaged in the day’s post-mortem as I always do, it became clear to me that the failure of the immediate past Rivers State governor and his godson, Dakuku Peterside is such that nobody wants to associate with them.
After mobilising for weeks, the Rivers APC Rally turned out to be a huge failure. The people of Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area saw through the fraud, rejected it and preferred to be associated with the growth of their area.
This responsible rejection of all that the APC and her leaders stand for, led to a verbal assault on the proud ancient Kingdom by the immediate past Rivers State Governor.
Aside insulting the people of Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area in the presence of the hired visiting few, Amaechi desecrated their revered Chieftaincy Tradition.
To prove to them that he has no iota of respect, he announced Chidi Lloyd who attempted to murder his colleague on the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly as their new paramount ruler. This was the height of insolence.
“I hear Opobo people have no chiefs. Do you have chiefs? I hear you have no chiefs so I came with Ikwerre chiefs.
“Where is Chief Chidi Lloyd? We have brought Chief Chidi Lloyd to represent Opobo people. All your chiefs have ran away.
“In Ikwerre, our chiefs don’t run away. The leader of our own chiefs that came is Chief Chidi Lloyd. So we brought Chief Chidi Lloyd to represent Opobo people”, Amaechi said.
He gave them several conditions on how they can win the governorship seat of the state. He assumed in his notorious character, the role of a godfather of Rivers State. A role that Rivers people rejected in 2015.
In all of this, the people of Opobo-Nkoro by deserting the Rivers APC, indicated that they understand the dynamics of politics and development.
They indicated that they would not be deceived by a corrupt and non-performing APC, into abandoning Nigeria’s best performing governor.
Therefore, immediately they heard that Amaechi and Dakuku Peterside were on their way to Opobo town, they quietly left the town and headed for Port Harcourt to commune with Mr Projects.
All families and their Chiefs moved in droves, leaving nobody behind. Amaechi had to manage imported few from Port Harcourt.
The decision to ditch Amaechi and Dakuku Peterside was easy for the Chiefs and people of Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area.
Amaechi and Dakuku Peterside had the opportunity to complete the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity Road at a time Rivers State was very bouyant, but they pocketed the money and used same to fund APC National Campaign.
They had the opportunity to revive schools and the General Hospital, Opobo, but they lined their pockets with the people’s funds.
The shore protection started by Former Governor Odili was neglected and the funds diverted by the Amaechi administration.
The above-mentioned projects were handled and still being handled by Governor Wike to the admiration of Opobo-Nkoro people.
Dakuku Peterside did not consider his people when he defrauded them. He had no sympathy for the safety of the Chiefs and masses as he enriched himself at their expense.
As a result, the Chiefs and people of Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area on Friday publicly pitched their tents with the promise keeper, man of integrity and compassionate Governor.
It was a courageous decision and a message to all communities in Rivers State.
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The threat of extreme violence by Dakuku Peterside who dressed in cult-war regalia in the face of this damming rejection revealed those who sponsor violence in different communities of the state under guise of opposition.
For Governor Wike, the weapon of interracttion remains the circulation of projects. At every communion with he releases more projects, consolidating his relationship with the people.
What has Amaechi and Dakuku Peterside attracted to Rivers State, despite their repeated indictments by the National Assembly for diverting national funds as they did in Rivers State?
The Port Harcourt International Airport is yet to be completed, even though Former President Goodluck Jonathan paid for the project as confirmed by Vice President Osinbajo.
The East-West Road has been abandoned, Port Harcourt-Aba Road neglected, while the two seaports crippled by the APC Federal Government.
Amaechi is Minister of Transportation in Lagos, Kano and Daura, but a failed godfather in Rivers State . His Ministerial appointment bought with trillions of Rivers funds, has not been used to the advantage of Rivers people.
The other day, Governor Wike had to commence the reconstruction of a school in Amaechi’s home town.
The Chiefs and people of Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area are wise. Whilst the rejected Rivers APC fooled around, they deliberated on further developmental projects for themselves.
Speaking during the interactive session with the People of Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area at the Government House Port Harcourt on Friday, Governor Wike commended them for their support to the contractors handling Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity Road and the General Hospital, Opobo.
The Rivers State Government will embark on extensive land reclamation to protect Opobo town.
Governor Wike charged other communities across the state to emulate the people of Opobo-Nkoro Local Government for their peaceful disposition and willingness to support developmental projects.
“You are not giving us problems. Rather, you cooperate with the State Government and our contractors to make sure that projects are completed.
“When you protect projects in your area, you get more projects. This will serve as an encouragement to other communities to support contractors in their areas”, he said.
He added: “By God’s grace, you must drive home this time around. The Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity Road is unstoppable.
“By Monday, the contractors, will collect further money for the completion of the project. The money is available and the contract will be funded”.
The ranting of Amaechi at Opobo town before a rented crowd is a clear manifestation of the pitiable frustration of a malicious failed godfather.
The anointing of God and the endorsement of Rivers people have departed from Amaechi. They were handed over to Governor Wike in 2015.
As far as 2019 is concerned, power belongs to the people. Rivers people have resolved to stand with Governor Wike till 2023. No godfather, no matter how criminally wealthy can change the direction. In 2019, its Wike or Wike.
By Simeon Nwaka
