Port Harcourt Centenary: I’m Not Against Jonathan – Amaechi …FG Pledges To Develop PH City

Governor Chibuike Amaechi yesterday at the symposium to celebrate the 100 years of Port Harcourt City laid to rest speculations that he was at war with the Presidency.
Amaechi said contrary to views in some quarters, he was not at war with President Goodluck Jonathan or was he opposed to his administration. He stated instead, that he was bent on ensuring social justice for Rivers people.
“There is no disagreement between the President and me. I respect him as my President, I respect him as an intellectual, I respect him for the fact that God has blessed him to get to that throne. Nobody can get to that throne without the blessings of God and a respect to that office is a respect to God,” Amaechi said.
The Rivers governor however said that the oppressive politics at the centre might have painted him as an opposition, but that as a Catholic, he believed in the principle of social justice, since peace cannot thrive in an atmosphere of intimidation and oppression.
The Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) thanked former Head of State (Rtd.) General Yakubu Gowon for gracing the occasion and for seeking peace in the political landscape of Rivers State.
General Gowon had during his speech couselled all parties to the political crisis to sheathe their swords and, work for peace and stability of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.
The former Head of State was of the opinion that “if any part of our land is not at peace, everyone will suffer the consequence at one time or the other”.
President Jonathan had through his Special Assistant on Documentation and Strategy, Oronto Douglas hinted of an end to the political crisis in the State.
The president said, “ I have observed with pains that the struggle for poltical space in recent times is creating unnecessary tension in this city which has served all of us so well. I believe that is not the best that Port Harcourt deserves”.
He pointed out that all stakeholders in the state had serious role to play in dousing the political differences rocking the state, as that would help preserve the glory of Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Centennial Committee and Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Mr. George Feyii said the symposium was organised in order to mark the unique development of Port Harcourt with a view to preserving it for the future and the unborn generation to come.
“This is a very special event, when the city began, we were not sure we would be the ones to celebrate today and may not be the ones to celebrate another one”, he added.

L-R: Chief A. K. Horsfall, General Yakubu Gowon, representative of President Jonathan, Mr Oronto Douglas, Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and Prof Tekena Tamuno, during the Symposium on Port Harcourt Centenary celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.