Amaechi Flays Attempts To Foist Police Rule In Rivers …Says Jonathan’s Speech Not Sent To Rivers

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi made a surprise return to the state from United States to participate in the nation’s 53rd independence anniversary, with the call on Rivers people to resist a ‘’police state’’ being gradually foisted on the citizenry by the Federal Government.
Amaechi, who made an extempore speech at the ceremony held at Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, said the state did not get the president’s speech usually read during independence celebrations by state chief executives.
While thanking the citizenry for massively gracing the ceremony, Amaechi condemned police activities in the state, pointing out that the country was gradually turning into a police state even in a democratic administration.
The governor condemned last Wednesday’s incident where police forcibly dispersed 13,000 newly recruited teachers who had gathered at the Liberation Stadium to pick their posting letters, saying” teachers came to receive their appointment letters and they were not allowed by the police. It has to stop.’’
He therefore implored the people of the state,” I say to you as Nigerians and Rivers people that we must stand together to forestall the attempt by the Nigeria Police to turn Rivers State into a police state. We must stay together as a people to chase away those who want to turn Rivers State into a military state’’.
The Rivers State governor insisted that any body who wants to take over the machinery of government in the state should do so through a democratic process and not by military means.
Amaechi reassured the citizenry of the quest by his administration to remain glued to accountability and transparency, especially in the area of education and infrastructure development.
He thanked all those who participated in the anniversary celebration, and wished Nigeria a happy birthday, as it marks its 53rd independence from colonial rule.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State (left), presenting a trophy to a pupil, during the Independence Day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday