RiversDiaries: “Amaechi has pitched his tent with the opposition” – Rivers PDP

This week has been one of solidarity visits for Governor Amaechi of Rivers. He probably needs it, in the light of everything that has happened in the state in recent times.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) isn’t very impressed with all the visits though, and has said so without mincing words. They insist that with all the visits, especially the most recent with all opposition governors, he has definitely moved camp.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser, Media, to the State Chairman, Mr. Jerry Needam, the PDP says they are justified in their earlier petition against Amaechi.

It says, “It’s no longer hidden that Governor Amaechi has pitched his tent with the opposition where he belongs but only plans to destroy the PDP in Rivers State before leaving finally.

“One clear quality of Gov Amaechi is that he does not leave anybody in the dark as to his moves and plots as proved by the solidarity visits of four northern governors on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 and that of the Action Congress of Nigeria governors, the Congress for Progressive Change governors and All Progressives Grand Alliance governor today; Thursday, July 18, 2013 in Port Harcourt.”

The government  however maintains that Amaechi hasn’t changed parties and is still comfortably under the big umbrella.

Speaking to Punch newspaper,  the  Chief Press secretary to the Governor, Mr. David Iyofor said that his principal was the chairman of the Nigerian Governors forum (NGF) and so it wasn’t out of place to be visited by members of the NGF.

He said, “The governor has not left the PDP. Those making such a statement should realise that Amaechi is the NGF  chairman  and other governors can decide to pay  him  a solidarity visit because of  the challenges in the state.

“Again as a governor, other governors may want to visit him (Amaechi) as their colleague. So, the solidarity visit by some governors today (Thursday) has nothing to do with the Rivers State Governor leaving the PDP. He is still a member of the PDP.”

Tony Okocha, Governor Amaechi’s Chief of Staff  said that PDP governors had also visited and wondered why this particular visit was being misinterpreted.

He said there was nothing wrong in governors coming to the state to see the “impunity from Wike and his cohorts”.

“The governors that came to visit are saying no to what is happening in the state. Apart from that, Nigerians are watching and they know the reason for the crisis in the state. The fact is that Amaechi still remains an ardent member of the PDP,” he said.

YNaija