Echoes From Amaechi’s Re-Election Flag Off

The People’s

Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State governorship flag-off campaign for the April, 2011 elections lived up to its billing as the enthusiastic crowd that graced the event demonstrated clearly that Governor Chibuike  Rotimi Amaechi enjoys great acceptability among his Ikwerre kinsmen.

The flag-off campaign for Governor Amaechi’s re-election which took place in Isiokpo, the traditional headquarters of the Ikwerre people was however, preceded with a dedication church service at the Corpus Christi Cathedral in Port Harcourt on Sunday and another special sunrise service with members of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) at the Royal House of Grace International Church before the programme started.

In dedicating the entire campaign and the re-election project to God, Governor Amaechi has not hidden his personal relationship with God. He acknowledged the awesomeness of the creator as the giver of power and all good things come through him to those that have absolute trust in him.

At the church service, the governor recalled how the slogan “I believe” came into existence when confronted with the realities of the Nigerian society and he held on to God to realise the ambition of becoming the Governor of Rivers State and according to him, “God came down to answer my prayers and made me governor beyond the expectations of men”

“Many people ask God for favour but when their prayers are answered they forget to give the glory to God”, Amaechi declared, insisting that he would continue to wait on the Lord to direct his footsteps and govern the people of the state with the fear of God.

The Isiokpo flag-off campaign rally attracted notable PDP personalities like the former Governor of old Rivers State, Chief Rufus Ada George, the political bulldozer of Rivers politics, Chief Sergeant Chidi Awuse, Chief Sampson Ngeregbara, Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu amongst others.

In accordance with the religious attachment of Governor Amaechi, he began his campaign speech with a chorus and declared his intention to consolidate on the projects and programmes enunciated by the present administration to ensure their completion, to that end, no new promises would be made to the people.

It is not surprising that Governor Amaechi’s popularity is soaring high because of his uncommon approach to governance and politics. For instance, at a time when Nigerian politicians are promising heaven and earth to the electorate to garner more votes, the governor is indicating clearly that he would not make new promises rather to ensure the completion of the projects already embarked upon. Perhaps, this is contrary to what many expect him to do to win more votes.

Again, the state governor has asked the electorate not to vote for him if they think he has done badly, I just wonder how many governors in this country or any member of the political class would be bold enough to make such remarks. This rarely shows the governor as a man of uncommon courage, a visionary leader, a believer in God, a truthful ally whose words remain his bond.

Acknowledging cheers from the crowd, Governor Amaechi said when re-elected, his administration would uphold the tenets of accountability, transparency and good governance while encouraging the citizenry to always ask questions and report public office holders who live in affluence on public funds.

He reiterated that his campaign would not dwell on gossips but would focus on issues, and gave the assurance that security matters would continue to receive major priority of his administration, as the government would do everything possible to chase criminals out of their hiding places for peace to reign in the state.

The rally also afforded him the opportunity to highlight some of the achievements of the first tenure in office, and appealed to the people of the area to vote massively for him as well as other PDP candidates in the April general elections, and thanked Rivers people for the support they had given his administration.

Lending his fatherly support to the re-election of Governor Amaechi in April, the former Governor of the old Rivers State, Chief Rufus Ada George, posited that God strengthened the political K-leg and described Governor Amaechi as a man with the favour of God, a detribalised politician, selfless individual that is not greedy. He went down memory lane to recall how Governor Amaechi worked with him as his strong supporter and introduced some Ikwerre politicians to him including Sir Celestine Omehia whom Amaechi nominated to take his slot as Commissioner for Education.

The elder statesman further explained that he identified the leadership qualities in the young Amaechi when he served as Special Adviser on Student Affairs during his administration, coupled with the mighty hand of God upon his life, assuring Rivers people that the second tenure would further improve the lots already achieved by the present administration.

Chief Ada George observed that the level of commitment which Governor Amaechi demonstrated in confronting the security challenges in the state was commendable and only a second tenure would sustain the gain in that direction, adding that as a strong voice in national and international fora, the governor was projecting the state adequately to the rest of the world.

In his words Amaechi should continue to develop all the developables,” because Rivers State has witnessed unprecedented level of infrastructural development and urged the people to vote massively for him to sustain the pace of growth in all sectors of the state economy.

Another notable figure that mobilised support for Amaechi’s re-election was Chief Sergeant Awuse, popularly known in political circles as the “bulldozer,” he called on Rivers people to support Governor Amaechi to lay a new foundation for Rivers people. According to him,  the vision for demanding for an Ikwerre governor is being realised in Amaechi with reference to developing the state infrastructurally.

The bulldozer acknowledged that Governor Amaechi had a vision for the state, and pleaded with everybody to forget the past and support the governor to enable him accomplish the vision by giving him the right environment to operate.

From Abuja, the PDP National Organising Secretary, Prince Uche Secondus alias “Total” was in his element as he thunderously congratulated the courage of Chief Awuse for being a good party man and advised the people to vote the party because it believes in one man, one vote, emphasising that Governor Amaechi was highly respected in Aso Rock for his honesty and dedication to develop the state.

On his part, the state PDP chairman, Chief Godpower Ake, thanked the people for their large turn out, insisting that Governor did not require campaign to win the re-election as there was no strong opponent in any other party. Chief Ake maintained that the governor had performed creditably and if there was any governor in Nigeria that deserved a second term in office, the person was Governor Amaechi, emphasising that he had known him as a leader because of objectivity on issues, straight forwardness and a man that tells the truth at all times.

No doubt, Amaechi has proved that Ikwerre people were right in wanting to govern the state, and since performance is the hallmark of any good leaders the party agreed that he should go for re-election to enable him complete the projects that are on-going.

The campaign flag off featured presentation of flags to the senatorial candidate, Senator George Sekibo, House of Representatives candidate, Chief Andrew Uchendu and the State House of Assembly candidate, Mr. Azubuike Nwanjoku.