The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers has expressed readiness to move on to another party should the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insists on the recall of the suspended Executives of Obio/Akpor Local Council in the state.
Governor Amaechi who was speaking at the 60th birthday thanksgiving service for the former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), O C Okocha in Port Harcourt, said he would not accept that as a pre-condition for lifting his suspension.
Reverend Ignatius Kattey, the Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Niger Delta Diocese had asked what the governor was doing about the recall of the suspended executives since his own suspension was anchored on that.
Rivers State House of Assembly had in April suspended the Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Timothy Nsirim alongside his councilors allegedly for gross financial misconduct.
Reacting to Rev Kattey’s enquiry, Governor Amaechi said he was awaiting court’s decision on the matter, assuring that he will abide by whatever is the outcome. He however maintained that PDP cannot dictate to him on the matter, threatening to dump the party should he be pushed to the wall.
“If they reverse it tomorrow, there is one more option left to me, I can dissolve the entire executive. The police can remain there as much as they want, it is Obio/Akpor people’s problem; the money is going nowhere.
“Let us investigate the place because there was corruption.’ If they investigate and the chairman and the councilors are not corrupt, they will call them back. But if they go to court to try to stop them, they will do their function.
“I want to hear the court say they have no right to do their function. Whatever the court says is what the Rivers State Government will do. We will obey the court, but outside that, nobody, not PDP, can give me condition. Is there only one party in Nigeria? Why would they give me condition? They will not give me condition.
“I lead the people of Rivers State and I will lead you. If they suffocate us in PDP and we need to move, we move!
“We will continue to struggle for our rights, and that includes our oil wells. You will hear the truth of this fight in December, January. I will address the state and I will tell you the truth of the fight.
“Not between me and these people here, they are not a problem to me. But when election comes, the Rivers people will be given the chance to choose who they want,” he said
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