The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has described as totally unacceptable, “the kite being flown by the Federal Government about the possible arrest and trial of the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in connection with some of his recent public statements in his capacity as Director General of the General Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation (GMBPCO).”

The party said in a statement issued today in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya: “We have every reason to be worried about the safety of our dear Governor in view of the lessons of history, especially with regard to the late Chief MKO Abiola, who was unjustifiably detained, only to die under mysterious circumstances while in government custody. We are, therefore, reluctant to dismiss reports in various media outlets suggestive of a threat to the life of Governor Amaechi in connection with his current assignment as Director General of General Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation.”

Rivers APC strongly condemned the threat issued to Amaechi on Monday by the Department of State Security (DSS), which described his recent allegation of corruption in the Nigerian military as inciting and unguarded. “This,” according to the party, “is nothing but an attempt to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. There is nothing inciting, unguarded or treasonable in Governor Amaechi’s statement. The governor, while expressing his views on the factors militating against the success of the Federal Government’s war against Boko Haram insurgents in the North Eastern part of the country, blamed the challenges on corruption in the military hierarchy and not on inadequate funding as the public is made to believe. It is unfortunate that, rather than accept the challenge of fighting corruption, the Federal Government has chosen to ignore the message and go after the messenger.”

Rivers APC warned that nothing must happen to Amaechi for patriotically exercising his freedom of speech as a citizen of Nigeria in line with the Constitution of the country. “We understand why the sinking PDP-controlled Presidency is resorting to intimidation as it has read the handwriting on the wall in the countdown to the 2015 presidential polls. We, however, wish to make it clear that both Gov Amaechi and his supporters will not be cowed but remain resolute in leading the struggle to uproot PDP from the Aso Presidential Villa as the first step towards salvaging Nigeria from the doldrums occasioned by the inept 16-year maladministration of PDP,” the party said.

According to it, “Nigerians are yearning for change and that change we must give them by ensuring that the PDP Government is peacefully voted out come 2015. If any of our security agencies need to arrest anybody, they should start with associates of President Goodluck Jonathan, particularly Chief Femi Fani- Kayoda, President Jonathan’s Campaign Director of Media and Dr. Doyin Okupe, the President’s Aide on Public Affairs, who has being making inciting and unguarded statements both against the vision of APC and our presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, whose well-known stand on corruption has sent cold shivers down the spine of the present corrupt leadership in Aso Rock.

“We wish to assure Gov. Amaechi that he has nothing to be afraid of, as God, who has in the past years protected him despite the evil machinations of the PDP and the Presidency, will surely see him through this time around and protect him from every danger as he leads the patriotic battle to rescue Nigeria and Nigerians from the vice grip of PDP through the instrumentality of the ballot box.”

•Photo shows Gov. Amaechi.

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