The Rivers Peoples Forum (RPF) alleged yesterday that there is a plot for minority lawmakers to remove Rivers State Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi from office.
Thereafter, the RPF alleged, Amaechi, who had a running disagreement with President Goodluck Jonathan before joining six other governors to form the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will be put on trial on “phantom charges” .
In a statement by Charles Bekwele on behalf of the RPF, the socio-political group alleged that a “certain interest within the Presidency” is working to illegally and unconstitutionally remove Amaechi by giving him what is code named “the Alamieyeseigha treatment”.
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a former governor of Bayelsa State, was removed from office by minority members of the House of Assembly in 2005. He fled abroad but returned and was put on trial and jailed after being found guilty of corruptly enriching himself.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who served as his deputy when he was Bayelsa governor, granted him amnesty.
The RPF alleged that “the plan is to thoroughly embarrass and disgrace Governor Amaechi, which they believe will serve as a warning and deterrent to other ‘dissident’ governors and dissenting politicians within the PDP who are perceived or considered to be opposed to President Goodluck Jonathan and his second term ambition.”
The recent reported withdrawal of some of Amaechi’s security detail is said to be part of the grand plot.
“We were further compelled to alert the general public, Nigerians, the diplomatic community and the international community on this plot when we read a newspaper story that President Jonathan has completely ruled out settlement with Governor Amaechi but he’s ready for reconciliation with the six northern governors in the ‘new PDP’.
The group wondered “why Mr. President is ready and willing to settle and reconcile with six aggrieved northern governors in the ‘new PDP’, but has ruled out settlement and reconciliation with Amaechi, who is his brother from same Southsouth zone?
It then warned that “as the umbrella body of all Rivers (State) people both at home and in the Diaspora, we want to state categorically that Rivers people will not accept and will vehemently resist any attempt, any move to illegally, and unconstitutionally remove Governor Amaechi from office as the elected governor of Rivers State. We freely gave Governor Amaechi our votes and our mandate to serve as governor for four years and he must be allowed to serve out his four year term.
“For clarity and emphasis, we want to restate that any move to remove Governor Amaechi in any Kangaroo manner, not prescribed in the Nigerian constitution will be strongly and firmly resisted by the entire Rivers people with everything that we have.
“The plotters are hereby advised in their own good and for the good of the country to desist from such sinister plot. Rivers people elected Governor Amaechi and are indeed pleased with his performance and achievements. No one has the right to illegally boot him out of office because of petty political disagreements. Rivers people say no to impunity. “
An attempt was earlier made to remove Amaechi when five lawmakers loyal to Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike convened on the House of Assembly complex in July.
Amaechi and the other lawmakers loyal to him stormed the House and prevented the illegal sitting.
This led to a serious fracas in which many lawmakers were injured.
House Leader Chidi Lloyd was arrested and arraigned for assault.
Source: The Nation
