As Amaechi declares war on Rivers PDP on Saturday
We’ll shame our enemies, Oshiomole
Emmanuel Thomas l Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019
PORT HARCOURT, Rivers, Nigeria – At least four persons were confirmed dead while scores were unconscious as a result of stampede at the Adokie Amiesimeke sports stadium in Port Harcourt, venue of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential rally on Tuesday.
Those who died at the stampede included three aged women and a man. Eye witnesses informed our correspondent that the incident happened when the crowd surged towards the main pedestrian gate but got suffocated and were trampled upon.
When contacted, the police public relations officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni said he was yet to confirm the incident. “I am not aware of that. I am yet to get a report on the incident”, he said.
At least, two ambulances from the University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital, UPTH were seen conveying the unconscious supporters out of the stadium premises for immediate medical attention.
Apparently responding to pressure from the international community for free and fair election, President Mohammadu Buhari has promised not to allow any security agency to intimidate Nigerians during the elections. The President also warned all institutions to allow Nigerians to vote any candidate of their choice across party lines without any form of intimidation, harassment and coercion.
Buhari who expressed regret that APC in Rivers state was yet to be allowed to participate in the electoral process, noted that though he was elected into office in 2015, he would no doubt, respect (electoral) institution that he inherited.
He appealed to the teeming supporters of the APC in the state to remain patient and resolute, adding that the leadership of the party would ensure that justice was done in the country irrespective of party and ethnic coloration.
Speaking at a presidential rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, President Buhari assured that he would not preside over a government that would abuse the trust of Nigerians. “I will be accountable to you (Nigerians). I ask you to please bear with me that I am going to be steadfast and I am going to do justice to all Nigerians. Nigeria is one and we will remain one”.
President Buhari assured that through the Armed Forces, all Nigerians would be respected and that “they are allowed to vote who they like across (all the political) parties. Please have faith that I am going to be fair to all. I will not allow any institution to intimidate any constituency or anybody”, the President promised.
He however reiterated on the achievements recorded so far by his government which includes the sustained fight against corruption, tackling of insecurity in the north/east and improvement in food security in the country.
“People of the north/east are witnesses to our improvement in the security of this country. The millions of dollars that we used to spend on rice (importation), we now save it for infrastructure. On corruption, we are going to remain consistent and resolute”, Buhari noted.
Meanwhile, the former governor of Rivers state and minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said APC would give the PDP in state the run for its money. “Whatever PDP wants, we will give it to them. We are equal to the task. I will be here (Rivers state) till after the election”.
Amaechi who is also the director general of the Buhari campaign organization alleged that when he was governor, the then PDP government used federal and state institutions to intimidate him
He regretted that after making Wike his Chief of Staff during his first term in office and a minister in his second term, Wike betrayed him. “Whatever Wike wants on Saturday, we will give him. Whatever the PDP wants in Rivers, we will give them. Your Excellency, I am not going to Abuja again from here. In 2015, the army attempted to arrest me a sitting governor.
“We will battle him (Governor Wike) to the last. Today, we will sing like the Ibo sings. (Ameachi then goes on to sing a warsong in Ibo dialect). On Saturday, they should get ready. We are ready for them.”
Amaechi added that in 2015, “They used federal and state institutions against us.
They killed and maimed our leaders. They killed our supporters and behead them. They used the courts against us.”
Also speaking, the national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole asked Nigerians not to vote the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar because of his promise to devalue the naira and give amnesty to looters instead of jailing them.
Meanwhile, a mild drama ensued at the rally when the factional candidate of the APC in the state, Senator Magnus Abe and his teeming supporters were barred from entering the venue of the rally.
Abe was also cut off from the protocols as only the Amaechi’s choice governorship candidate, Architect Tonye Cole was recognized by the party leadership.
