SARAKI, WIKE CARPETS AMAECHI FOR NOT ATTENDING ABE’S THANKSGIVING CEREMONY

PORT HARCOURT, Rivers, Nigeria – Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, have both censured the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for not attending the “Victory Thanksgiving Service” of Senator Magnus Ngei Abe and other APC legislators at the national and state assemblies 

Rather than attend the “Victory Thanksgiving Service organised by APC Stakeholders under the aegis of “The Meeting”, Amaechi, the leader of APC in Rivers State chose to attend another APC event in Bori, in Khana Local Government Area.

The Senate President asked: “What is wrong is wrong. The governor of River State from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, is here. Rivers State Chairman if the APC, Chief Davis Ibiamu-Ikanya is here. So, why is there another APC event in the state?”

“We know the role Senator Abe and other APC legislators in the National Assembly played in getting someone from Rivers State into the current federal cabinet. We know what transpired. We can’t say everything here. This Thanksgiving is the main APC event in Rivers State, today. There should not have been any other APC event in the state.”

Senator Saraki enthused: “Senator Abe He is a good man. He is a humble man. He is a loyal man. He is a courageous man. And I know you have not finished the journey yet.”

“Abe does not blow his trumpet. Abe payed a great role in the formation of the APC that we are now talking about. He worked very hard to get the Senate approval for someone to become minister from Rivers State.”

The Senate President stated: “Like the Archbishop said in the Church, power comes from God. Governor Wike just said he did so many things to stop Abe from going back to the Senate. And you know he can do all those kinds of things. But, he did not succeed. So Truly, power comes from God.”

“Senator Abe is truly loved by his people. Senators from the six geo-political regions are here to honour him. It has never happened in the history of the Nigerian Senate. And the Rivers State governor is here, too.”

Speaking on the rift between Amaechi and Abe, the Senate president stated: “Ideally, there should have been one APC programme in the State. I am happy the Rivers chairman of the APC is here.You have a lot of work to do ”

“The Rivers State chapter of the APC needs Peace and reconciliation. Without peace and reconciliation, victory will be difficult at the polls in 2019. The state chairman should strive to reconcile all aggrieved members of the Party.”

Also speaking at the event, Governor Wike declared: “I was on my way to Bori when I was informed that the reception is holding at the Port Harcourt Polo Feild. So, I turned and came back to this venue. The Senate President is here. The Rivers State chairman of the party is here. Therefore, I don’t know of any other APC event in the state.”

“When I wanted to become governor you people dealt with me. So, when it was time for the legislative elections, I showed you guys, pepper. But, despite all what I did, you still succeeded in getting to the National and State Assemblies which sums it all: that power comes from God.”

Governor Wike stressed: ” Please, for all of you in the National and State Assemblies, in everything you do, place Rivers State first. Let us drop our political affiliations when it comes to matters concerning our state. We are all working for Rivers State and our people.”

He told the President of the Senate: “Please, when you get to Abuja, add this request in the budget. Aba Road is bad. Tell them in Abuja that Rivers State is peaceful and safe. It is safe to live and do business in Rivers State.”

Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the APC, Chief Davis Ibiamu-Ikanya, assured that the party’s elective delegate Congress will be peaceful, free and fair.

“We are grateful to God that he answered our prayers and returned our members back to the National and State Assemblies. I can assure you all that our elective delegates Congress will be peaceful, free and fair.”

Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipri Silva and the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, both spoke along the same vein, emphasising the “Senator Abe is going somewhere and he will get there.”

Both Politicians from Bayelsa State who grew up in Rivers State stated that Senator Abe is loved by his people which remains his greatest asset. Senator Lokpobiri emphasised: “Senator Abe is a special politician. His support base cuts across the PDP and the APC. He is a symbol of unity in Rivers State. The people of Rivers State have spoken by their presence here today. And the voice of the people is the voice of God.”