Omehia, Sekibo, No Threat To PDP …As Catholic Church Backs Amaechi –Wike

Contrary to speculations about the calibre of personalities in the Rivers State gubernatorial race, the Director-General of Amaechi’s campaign organisation, says the  entry of Sir Celestine Omehia and Dr Abiye Sekibo into the governorship race is not a threat to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking at a press briefing to flag-off Governor Amaechi re-election campaign at the  weekend in Port Harcourt, Chief  Wike noted that going by the political history of Rivers State, the people never align themselves with a minority party.

Chief Wike was quick to ask: Are the duo of Sir Celestine Omehia and Dr Abiye Sekibo of  All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) moving forward or backward? He said that the question had become necessary because the two political big wigs were members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  before now, but deflected to APGA and  ACN respectively.

He contended that APGA or ACN could not win councillorship seats in any of the 23 local government areas of the state, let alone governorship seat.

His words, “As far as I am concerned, Sir Celestine Omehia who had subjected PDP to unnecessary legal tussle can never come back to the same party”.

Chief Wike further argued that going by the political history of Nigeria, Rivers State had never aligned with a minority party, insisting that the people of Rivers State would continue to move forward, not backwards.

He maintained that he would go personally to Sir Celestine Omehia in his house and challenge him to rescind his decision for joining APGA.

Any serious party, he said, should start going to the field to battle with the PDP for the soul of the oil rich Rivers State, rather than practising arm chair politics of bitterness and acrimony.

Meanwhile, Catholic Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, Most Rev Camillus Archibong Etukudo, has pledged total support for Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s second term bid.

Speaking at a special campaign dedication thanksgiving service at the Corpus Christi Cathedral, Port Harcourt organised by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the party’s campaign in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Rt Rev Etukudo said the ambition had been divinely ordained.

He said, “we have dedicated the whole campaign to God because if God says yes, nobody can say no”, saying that the church was solidly behind the governor and his administration.

The Catholic Bishop thanked God for His mercies and commended those who attended the  church service.

In another development, Governor Chibuike Amaechi has urged his supporters and party faithfuls to rededicate themselves to God, while urging them not to be blinded by the  victory and position they occupy.

He observed that though it was easy for man to be blinded by his present comfort and power, it would be foolish to forget the mercies of God at all times.

The governor used the forum to recall the travails he went through sequel to his assumption of office in 2007, noting that the experience had always strengthened his faith in God, hence, the coinage of the slogan “I believe”

According to him, the ‘I believe” slogan represents the unwavering faith he had and the anchor on which his administration was tied upon.

The  governor said that his second tenure if given the chance would aim at consolidating on the success recorded in his first term especially in the area of employment generation and security.

Governor Amaechi was emphatic that without creating employment, it would be futile to maintain security because both were dependant on each other.

He therefore urged the church and the citizenry to pray for the administration and ensure they vote and protect their votes during the upcoming elections.