Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has dismissed as falsehood, an interview being circulated in the social media that he was angry over an alleged betrayal by leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the just concluded national convention of party in Abuja.
The purported interview based the governor’s anger and disappointment on the inability of his candidate, Chief Sam Jaja, to clinch the position of National Vice-Chairman (South) of the opposition party. The position went to former Ekiti governor, Segun Oni, who only just defected to APC from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, last month.
But Amaechi, who spoke in a terse statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Seminitari, described the claims variously as “concocted interview” and a “smear campaign”. He fingered the PDP as being behind the rumors and vowed to join the Odigie-Oyegun led exco of APC to sweep out the PDP.
“We understand why the People’s Democratic Party would be jittery and embark on a smear campaign as the emergence of these APC national officers is the first major political step and victory of the Party in its effort to bring about the desired change in leadership for our dear country come 2015.
“Governor Amaechi would like to assure the new executive that the people of Rivers State would join them to sweep out the old order of corruption and confusion in our country as we embrace the new dawn of Change”, the statement said in a veiled reference to PDP.
Read Amaechi’s Statement below:
A GOOD DAY FOR CHANGE: Governor Amaechi CONGRATULATES NEWLY ELECTED APC NATIONAL OFFICERS
The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a concocted interview allegedly granted by the Governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi.
Ordinarily the Rivers State Government would refuse to dignify such clear falsehood with any response, however repeated enquiries form well-meaning persons have made it imperative for us to restate the often repeated position of Governor Chibuike Amaechi as follows:
1) The All Progressive Congress is a party of progressives who share a common goal of safeguarding our nation and securing its future.
2) Governor Amaechi is committed completely to these goals of the APC and would work assiduously alongside all party faithful to achieve this noble cause.
3) The APC Convention of June 13th and 14th was a clear indication that the APC is fully reinvigorated and even more united than ever before.
4) The national party officers who emerged at the convention are men and women of repute and it is delightful that the APC would be led in these times by a person of impeccable character and towering stature like His Excellency John Odigie–Oyegun, former Governor of Edo state.
We understand why the People’s Democratic Party would be jittery and embark on a smear campaign as the emergence of these APC national officers is the first major political step and victory of the Party in its effort to bring about the desired change in leadership for our dear country come 2015.
Governor Amaechi would like to assure the new executive that the people of Rivers State would join them to sweep out the old order of corruption and confusion in our country as we embrace the new dawn of Change.
Ibim Semenitari, Hon Commissioner of Information and Communications, Rivers State
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate