Obio/Akpor Gives Amaechi Confidence Vote …Says Suspended Chairman, Lawmakers Deserve To Go

Stakeholders in the embattled Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, and the Chief G.U. Ake-led executive of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

They have also passed a vote of no confidence on some lawmakers representing the local government at the state and national levels of the polity.

Those affected include the member representing Obio/Akpor in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Kingsley Chinda, and the two members representing the local government in the state House of Assembly,Hon Martins Amaewhule and Hon Michael Chinda.

The resolution was passed during a stakeholders meeting held in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council headquarters, Rumuodumaya, yesterday.

The stakeholders argued that their position was informed by the fact that the lawmakers had failed, over the years, to provide effective representation, deliver democracy dividends to the people of the local government and for their poor performances.

They also emphasised that they decided to give the state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi a well-deserved vote of confidence for his effective service delivery, transparency and good governance in the service of Rivers people, including Obio/Akpor local government area, which they say, has been a major beneficiary of the numerous people-oriented projects and programmes of the government.

The Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Tony Okocha, who led the parliament, conducted the meeting of the stakeholders, which through a voice vote, slammed the lawmakers in the state and Abuja for non-performance, and praised the Amaechi-led government for a job well done in the administration of the state.

The stakeholders declared the lawmakers as unworthy and disgruntled servants of the state, and charged them to retrace their steps or face the wrath of the people who gave them the mandate.

Speaking during the meeting, Tony Okocha, said the lawmakers and their political god-father were traitors who have betrayed the people’s confidence and trust.

According to him, out of 42 model primary schools and 32 primary health centre projects in Obio/Akpor, Nyesom Wike alone was awarded contracts to build 18 of the huge projects.

He also declared that the political battle drawn against Governor Chibuike Amaechi will consume those who have declared war on a man tirelessly working to transform Rivers State.

Okocha, however, tasked the Obio/Akpor caretaker committee members to be of good conduct and deliver effective and selfless services to the people of the local government.

Also speaking, Hon Chidi Nwiyioka, urged the people of the area to always shun those greedy Abuja-based politicians’ antics and plots to destabilise the peace in the state.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr Reginald Ukwuoma, last Wednesday commended Governor  Chibuike Amaechi for the numerous projects sited in the area.

He also pledged the support of the people to the state government as it continued to provide democracy  dividends.

Ukwuoma said this at Okehi, headquarters of the council, at the inauguration of 20 political appointees to serve the council.

The appointees are Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Supervisors.

Ukwuoma said the recent call by a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain from the area on Governor  Amaechi to resign was not the views of Etche people.

“On this note, Etche local government completely dissociates itself from the information from one of us stating that the governor of the state should resign.

“If that statement is true as alleged, Etche local government completely dissociates itself from such statement.

“Anybody calling for the resignation of the governor of the state is on his own. Etche local government and its people are irrevocably committed to the cause of the governor because we are better treated.

“There is no reasonable Etche man or woman who can look at the infrastructural development that dots the streets of Etche and call for his resignation.”

Ukwuoma urged the people to embrace peace and advised the elders to stop playing politics of anger, bitterness and pull-him-down, saying such would not be in the interest of the area.

He urged the appointees to cooperate with his administration to move the area forward.

In his speech, Rep. Ogbonna Nwuke, said that it was unthinkable that somebody should call on Governor Amaechi to resign despite the giant development strides he had achieved.

“All of us are witnesses to what’s been going on in Rivers State since the Amaechi administration started.

“We have had greater development, we have enjoyed peace.

“Today, we have more than 22 primary schools built by this administration; we have most of our roads here built by this administration; we have health centres also built by this administration.’’

Nwuke, who represents, Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, said the comments made by one elder Anyanwu were personal and did not represent the views of Etche people.

He said more than 100 students from the area had benefited from Governor Amaechi’s scholarship scheme and were presently studying abroad.

“Governor Amaechi is focused, offering credible leadership and has refused to be distracted in his quest to develop the state.

“We urge Rivers people to continue to support him and remain calm and law-abiding.’’

A spokesman for the appointees, Mr Blessing Uchegbo, pledged that they would support the chairman to develop the area.

Vice Chancellor, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Prof Barineme Fakae (middle) with the Registrar, Mrs Daba Odimabo (left) and the Librarian, Dr Blessing Ahiauzu, at the university’s 25th Convocation press briefing in Port Harcourt, last Monday.